Ed Adams, associate chair of the communications department, addressed a group of students Tuesday October 29 on the subject of freedom of the press at BYU.

Of the topic advertised on fliers, Adams said, "'Can I write controversial stories as a journalist at BYU?' That suggests to me that being a journalist at BYU is in some way unique, but that isn't necessarily the case. Similar situations happen at other universities."

After speaking briefly, Adams opened floor to student questions and issues. One student raised the issue of a perceived overabundance of BYU public relations in the Daily Universe.

Adams said that the board and managing editors are not advocating printing PR; they are just advocating Daily Universe reporters look at the available PR because BYU is already reporter-saturated and some questions Universe reporters may have could be answered in already available PR.

The group also debated dealing with sensitivity to audience.

"I don't know why we think we hold a common market on that," Adams said. "It's interesting to see differences in the markets."

Adams said the audience of the Daily Universe is students, faculty, staff, alumni, church leaders, and parents.

"Parents are checking online," Adams said. "This is a huge audience."

Adams said it is hard to strike a balance between presenting campus and giving students a voice.

He said the important thing to remember about sensitivity was that what is important is not what topics are covered but how they are covered and the quality of research that goes into them.

Adams drew on his past experience with other college presses in Ohio and Texas to illustrate the range of reactions a community can express toward something like the death penalty. Adams said that in Ohio, a candlelight vigil was held the night of the execution of a criminal. In Texas, however, the attitude was that not only was the death penalty a good thing, but the family should also probably be charged for the bullet.

Adams also talked about dealing with faculty members that are discouraging to reporters.

"It's possible that many faculty members across campus might have had their quotes butchered," he said. "If they tell you not to do a story that's your prerogative."

Adams said the Daily Universe is a lab paper. Other universities house papers on campus, and take in people from all departments.

"Sometimes the quality of newspapers is not near as good," he said, citing poor writing and poor reporting as problems some non-lab college papers face.

"You might be a little more vigorous in your reporting," he said.



Copyright Brigham Young University 30 Oct 2002