The Daily Orange’s two major articles, ‘Fait Accompli,’ that looked at the management style of Chancellor Nancy Cantor have sparked much discussion. That’s the purpose of journalism. Journalism gives a community the opportunity to learn about issues, to debate them, to consider whether to do anything about those issues.
But in a letter to the editor, at least one group in the Syracuse University community has taken the blame-the-messenger approach to the stories. The group labels ‘Fait Accompli’ as ‘irresponsible journalism.’ As professional journalists and as journalism educators, we disagree with that label.
The articles are clearly the result of many months of interviewing and research. They focus on multiple opinions critical of the chancellor’s style, but also include opinions that counter the criticisms. The chancellor herself had a strong voice in the stories. Indeed, she often has the last word the rebuttal quote on what her critics have said. The stories also include a graphic with a lengthy list of her initiatives.
That’s good journalism doing solid reporting, offering multiple perspectives and giving context. Readers now have the opportunity to make up their own minds from that kind of journalism.
To be clear, the intent of our letter is not to take a side in the current discussions of the chancellor. Odds are we don’t even agree among ourselves. But as journalism educators, we are compelled to explain our profession’s standards and to support our students’ good work in taking on contentious topics.
Additionally, we point out the two reporters, Kathleen Ronayne and Beckie Strum, are among the best and brightest in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and at SU. Ronayne’s honors include Remembrance Scholar; Henry J. Wolff prize as a senior most proficient in journalism; the Samuel V. Kennedy III Memorial Scholarship for the senior most likely to become a newsroom leader; and Phi Beta Kappa. Strum’s honors include the Heather L. Fleischman Memorial Scholarship for demonstrating outstanding potential in journalism; the David Rubin First Amendment Prize; and an internship with Time Out in Beirut, Lebanon. Both are recipients of Founder’s Merit Scholarships.
We teach our students that stories in which all sources agree is generally not responsible journalism. But stories with diverse viewpoints, covering difficult issues, are the ones that lead to valuable public discourse.
Journalism isn’t a popularity contest. Nor should it ever be.
Chris Tuohey
Charlotte Grimes
Frank Currier
Dona Hayes
Bob Lloyd
Barbara Fought
Melissa Chessher
Joan Deppa
Suzanne Lysak
John Nicholson
Lawrence Mason Jr.
Mike Cremedas
Sherri Taylor
Aileen Gallagher
Simon Perez
Randy Wenner