EDITORIAL: Communication between media, university should continue to strive for openness
The working relationship between university administrators and CM Life is more crucial now than ever, whether it means relaying the latest budget information to the campus community or simply checking facts. But until recently, these rapports were in serious jeopardy.
Faculty Personnel Services, Financial Planning and Budgets, the College of Medicine, Study Abroad — all were facets of campus that had traditionally responded to reporters willingly, openly and free of interference. Then mid- semester, almost as if in unison, these departments began forwarding CM Life to University Communications.
Of course, occasions come when a matter requires a university statement or a reporter needs help locating background information. It is easy to acknowledge that circumstances exist when facilitating information becomes necessary.
However, this newspaper’s relationship with CMU sources began to seem controlled. Simple meeting requests were declined. Sources were made unavailable. When the waters of information flow are muddied with misunderstandings, it changes the climate for openness on campus.
This causes concern not only for what information is and is not being given to this publication, but the campus community at large. Controlling information given to media should be considered the same as controlling it for the campus and outlying community. In recent weeks, an open dialogue between CM Life and CMU has taken promising strides forward, leaving staff- ers optimistic it will continue.
The beginning of a new school year is often considered a new start, both for CM Life and for the university officials that communicate with the publication.
Strides forward must continue.
Most editors take every attempt to properly prepare reporters, but if one calls asking questions without doing his or her homework, we hope the editor is contacted. And if it seems like a source is unfairly ignoring a reporter, editors generally address the matter.
University administrators are public officials, period. CM Life’s access to them ought to reflect the public’s. Just as it must be OK for any uncomfortable source to forward CM Life to University Communications, it must be OK to contact administrators directly and expect an honest, unfettered conversation.
With one edition left, CM Life hopes transparency comes to mean more than simply making information available at University Communication’s disposal.
And hopefully any future lack of access is something the public will ultimately not stand for.
