Larry D. Lauer

Reporting comments from other news sources should be seen today as “old school” journalism. This only amounts to providing free publicity for those other sources.

Journalism today must become a search for truth, with a commitment to report it wherever it is found. In fact, some seriously concerned people have recently told me they blame todays news media for creating more problems than they solve.

News organizations today still struggle to report both sides, They appear be creating more controversary to hold our attention. This has led to grooming journalists and TV anchors to become more entertaining, filing shorter news reports, and more and shorter ads, They have simply become fast talkers.

Picking up the pace appears to have become the formula for profit-making journalism, along with bringing entertainment stars alongside journalists who are now acting like stars themselves.

Finding truth and reporting it must become the focus of today’s journalism. Making news entertaining, and rationalizing it as a consequence of new technology, is not what todays information consumers need or want. When journalists find truth they must also have the courage to report it.

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When students speak out on news-generated issues they almost always make action demands on the administration. This is a time to arrange opportunities to listen.

Whether it’s Vietnam or the current situation in Gaza, it will very likely play out about the same. As news reporting progresses, both opinions and demands become more informed. This is how meaningful dialog can emerge.

Problems appear when nonstudents try to become the protest leader. The institution should have been working ahead to inform their students about this possibility. Current students must already know how they will be protected from outsiders. Taking over buildings will not be allowed. Access to conversations with administrators, even the president, will be allowed.

Recent protests have fundamentally been antiwar protests, along with concerns for the welfare of the many Palestinians who are not connected with the extreme methods of Hamas, In this case many students in time will likely become two-state solution advocates, and will participate in good discussions about how to achieve it.

Experienced college Presidents constantly deal with political pressures from trustees, alumni, parents, and student leaders about issues in the news. Most have learned to be good listeners. They will see these moments as good learning opportunities.

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