Collegian Editor Responds to Magic Marker-er On Her Blog

Posted by ha-mace 10/16/2007 09:45 AM

Tags: Editor in Chief, Devon Lash, Blog, The Collegian

Collegian Editor Responds to Magic Marker-er On Her Blog

Yesterday we told you about the Collegians that were taped to lamp posts on Pollock road with the words "what about the VICTIM" written over the front page story about Austin Scott. Well, looks like the magic marker-er made postings in other places as well. OTR found one later in the day at a bus stop on Curtain road, and on her blog, Devon Lash, Editor in Chief of The Collegian, tells us papers were posted on "the back door of the Carnegie Building and on our front doors and the newsstands outside our office." Posting newspapers on doors with things written on them, thats like "old-school blogging."

On her blog, Lash makes the case for their coverage of Austin Scott rape allegation, and although we criticize The Collegian on a regular basis (Hey Devon, what's up with multiple pillow fight articles?) we completely agree with her on this issue. What exactly did the magic marker bandit want from The Collegian?

The name of the victim? Doubtful, and as Lash points out, they wouldn't have done that anyway. An interview with the victim? OK, maybe, but that's not going to happen for multiple reasons, not the least of which would be it may interfere with the case. Besides, she kind of gave her interview to the police.

So, magic marker bandit, while we like your style (please do this again, it makes for great posting material), we just don't understand you're problem with The Collegian. But, hey if you want to tell us we'd be more than happy to give you a forum. And we don't care who you are, our name is ha-mace for god's sake.

Comments

liber-hace says,

While the sharpie wielding individual/s? may get good grades in retro dramatic style their message was unclear, much like Devon Lash�s response. Perhaps a �What about?� or �Why is this in the paper?� would have been more appropriate. Mark Viera�s write up October 15 is more than a crime report. The thing reads like a dialogue, classy since of course the public has a right to know word for word the exchange between an alleged victim and an alleged rapist. Reporting rape for public awareness or public interest? And Devon�s response? It�s good she understands the ethical debate about reporting rape; yes the victim is traumatized three times so while you�re at it, why not paint the general public a not so general picture. The logic behind including so many details of the case? Lash says it�s representing the victim�s voice. Well of course it is. The quotes were directly from the criminal complaint. So if you are victimized by sexual assault, make sure you consider in your report to the police that everything you say will be held against you in a court of law, and graphically published by our Collegian. Posted 10/19/2007 06:22 AMReply

ha-mace says,

@ <a href="#c4552">liber-hace</a>: Maybe the article on Monday was poorly written, but I don't think there was anything inherently wrong with it. What would you and the "sharpie wielding individual/s" want to see in the Collegian? No article at all? A brief explaining that there was a rape?
You have to remember that the other person involved was the starting running back on the football team. That's going to generate interest. If he had been just some engineering major there wouldn't have been a front page story. Posted 10/19/2007 07:08 AMReply

Anonymous says,

Every time a rape is reported on campus, it's on the front page. It may be a bigger deal that Austin Scott's involved with the case, but the story and all its updates would likely be on the front page regardless. Sexual assault is not a crime to bury in your newspaper. Posted 10/21/2007 08:52 AMReply