To serve and educate

That's the job of a good student-journalist.

Serve.

This includes listening to folks and writing stories in a way that gets to the core of the issue.

Educate.

This includes explaining why writers and editors decide to do things a certain way.

One of the most responsible things a journalist can do, especially at the college-level, is to help readers understand "the media," or at least parts of "the media."

They need to know the difference between news and opinion. They need to experience the discomfort that comes with reading an op-ed piece they disagree with is not a bad thing. They need to understand that reader feedback--online comments and letters to the editor--are valuable components to journalism.

When I, as an editor, hear comments on campus--good or bad--about Winthrop's paper, I get excited. No matter what they're saying, at least they are reading!

When I hear, "I can't believe they published this," I see an opportunity to educate.

The Johnsonian serves every week, click here for my shot at educating this week.