FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Tom Cleary, Editor in Chief
ALT. CONTACT: Chris Simmons, Managing Editor
ALT. CONTACT: Keith Connors, General Manager
TEL.: 203.256.6529
E-MAIL: FairfieldMirror@gmail.com
Last evening, the senior editorial board of ‘The Mirror,’ Fairfield University’s Independent Student Newspaper, participated in an open forum to discuss last week’s ‘He Said’ column and the subsequent protest that took place at ‘The Mirror’s’ office at the Barone Campus Center of Wednesday, September 30.
Overall, ‘The Mirror’ felt that the conversations and the forum itself was a positive experience and that continuing a dialogue between the student groups that voiced displeasure with the article and our staff is imperative moving forward.
After a myriad of internal discussions, as well as considering the opinions voiced at last night’s forum, ‘The Mirror’ has decided to:
- Apologize for the publication of a column that had the potential to offend such a great number of students, parents, alumni, and members of the Fairfield community
- Include a disclaimer in our ‘Coffee Break’ section to specify that this is a satirical column and designed only for entertainment purposes
- Sincerely reassess our use of ‘He Said/She Said’. The ‘He Said/She Said’ column has been a staple of our publication for years, and at times has pushed the boundaries of what is and is not offensive. This issue has provided us the opportunity to reevaluate the use of this section and ensure that, in the future, it will be used in a positive manner
- Update ‘The Mirror’ Code of Procedure to include a section regarding all elements of ‘He Said/She Said,’ including its use of language
- Appoint a specific ‘Coffee Break’ section editor to ensure that all of the editorial content in the section is in line with our goals and ethics of our organization. In the past, this position was used as a teaching tool to underclassman that desired to learn the editorial process. The presence of a senior editor, though, will ensure that these columns do not contain divisive, offensive language
- Strive, as always, to be responsible with our freedom of press, and our privilege to serve the Fairfield University’s community as its independent student newspaper
- Work with other organizations on campus to provide a “Sexual Assault Awareness” week in our paper. As well as coverage in news and features, The Mirror will offer the space in Coffee Break to anyone who wants to speak about the issue, as a way of helping to raise awareness on campus of the many students who have been victims of assault. The Mirror is an ideal forum to voice student opinions and we want to provide that voice for all.
In regards to this morning’s anonymous publication, called “The Broken Mirror,” ‘The Mirror’ is disheartened by the fact that the parties involved would choose to anonymously imitate our image and likeness in a format that depreciates and criticizes our organization as a whole. The purpose of our paper, and any journalistic publication in this country, is to present the multiple opinions of the people to the community is serves. Those opinions are not limited to those of our reporters and staff.
‘The Mirror’ strives to provide a public forum for anyone that wishes to discuss and comment on any campus issues. In the past, ‘The Mirror’ has published articles on both sides of divisive issues, including abortion, war, and campus controversies. Moving forward, we sincerely hope that our newspaper – the newspaper of the student body – will continue to be that medium of communication.
This week, ‘The Mirror’ will debut its redesign. Aside from a newly designed print and website, it is redefinition of our publication and a new opportunity for us to greater serve the Fairfield community through our reporting and our operations. Regardless of the questionable nature of past columns, ‘The Mirror’ now looks to the future to continue to report, to inform, and to serve. It is our hope that the entire Fairfield community, regardless of their opinion on this matter, will join us in this pursuit.
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