The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 70, No. 56, Ed. 1, Friday, April 29, 1983 Page: 2 of 27
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Optimist policy change sets
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President William J. Teague in his role as
publisher of the Optimist last week ordered
the staff to change its policy on covering
student arrests. The staff is not to print the
names of students who are charged with
crimes and whose names then appears in the
Abilene media.
However ignoring news items that are
printed in other media can only lead to skewed
coverage of events. Students who read the
Optimist for campus news would know only of
such items that the local media did not deem
important enough to pick up. The resulting
news in the Optimist could raise questions
about fairness of coverage.
As the order stands now if an ACU student
is tried and convicted of rape as happened
five years ago the Optimist would be unable
to report that student's name. At the same
time if the local media fail to pick up the
name of a student arrested for public in-
toxication the student paper would be free to
report it.
But even more importantly the president's
order endangers the free flow of information
on the ACU campus.
An environment of openness is important in
a free society even in such a specialized
society as a Christian university.
Ralph L. Rosnow and Gary Alan Fine in
their book Rumor and Gossip: The Social
Psychology of Hearsay note that where the
need exists for information or clarity rumor
fills the void of ambiguity and uncertainty.
Organizational settings such as a
university can encourage the activation of
rumors when those in charge prevent the free
flow of information they write. But presenting
the facts as fully as possible can quell idle
speculations.
"For obvious practical and philosophical
reasons the specter of censorship is an un-
welcome visitor" they continue. "Declaring
things taboo enhances their emotional value.
In a society with constitutional guarantees to
free speech and freedom of the press both the
public and the press must keep watch to guard
against infringements on the lawful and moral
precedent
rights both of the individual and society."
The president's order sets a dangerous
gatekeeping precedent that could extend to
other items being reported in the Optimist.
Discussing controversial subjects such as the
dress code or criticizing other university
policies or programs might be declared off-
limits to the newspaper if a vocal group
decides to protest the coverage.
The Optimist staff and adviser have
proposed a compromise to the president that
would allow the Optimist to print the names of
students arrested and charged with more
serious offenses. Although we see flaws with
the compromise we believe the greater the
offense the more important it is that people
know.
We urge the president to fully consider the
important principles at stake before coming to
a decision on the appeal. And we urge students
and others involved with ACU to take a long
look at those same principles. A policy of
openness is essential in maintaining a healthy
atmosphere at ACU.
ii
Research objectivity needed to decide controversies
When controversial issues arise on campus
students often become emotionally involved
and are unable to discuss the topic rationally.
Dr. Ed Brown chairman of the com-
munication department deliberately sets up
such situations in his Small Group Com-
munication classes to demonstrate to students
how emotional involvement can short-circuit
logic.
Students in Brown's class this semester
chose to discuss the kind of reports they
believe should appear in the Optimist
especially in regard to student arrests. "I
knew when students chose the topic that there
would be high ego involvement and extreme
emotional involvement" Brown said.
And he was right.
Instead of relying on outside authorities and
strict reasoning patterns the discussion
dropped to the level of personal feelings he
said. Students tended to belittle other students
for their attitudes and feelings rather than
talk in an objective way about the problem
itself.
What usually happens said Brown is that
"without looking at the evidence they state
positions right at the beginning. And they are.
committed to those positions so any evidence
they give is simply to support the position they
have already taken."
Such an attitude results in people becoming
locked into positions that are often prejudicial.
And by arguing to support a preconceived
stance people usually fail to see the full im-
Klications of different stances. Not only docs
aving a closed mind inhibit one's ability to
make intelligent choices it also can cause
problems in relationships with others.
But by becoming aware of this tendency to
make knee-jerk decisions students can learn
to be more objective in all their discussions
Brown said.
In order to be objective students should
research subjects thoroughly; look at what
outside authorities have said; consider both
sides of the issue based on logical arguments
and above all maintain an open mind and a
willingness to change.
Looking at controversial issues objectively
can be very difficult especially when
friends or relatives are involved but
members of the ACU community should strive (J
for maturity in their ability to logically form
opinions on important issues.
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:b- Optimist
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? EDTOR
J.ScottKusscll
SPORTS EDITOR
Tammy Fielder
MANAGING EDITOR
Kent Harnett
ADVERTISING
Tuesday Features: Bonnie Arvin. Tammy Dahlof
Friday Features: Melody Townsel. Brcnda Zobrist
News Editors: Itachel O'llcar. Leigh Ann Manis
Assistant Sports Editor: Mark Stockdalc
Intramural Sports Editor- Kevin Wishard
Chief Photographer. Julie Larson
Wire Editor; David Ingram
Cartoonist: Wcs Thornton
Production Manager: David Ingram. MarkStockdate
Asst Production Manager: Betsey Bolin
Advertising Production Manager: Carmen Scarbrough
Advertising Production Asst.: Cheryl Beard
Circulation Manager: Betsey Bolin
Adviser; Dr. Charles Marler
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 70, No. 56, Ed. 1, Friday, April 29, 1983, newspaper, April 29, 1983; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth96065/m1/2/: accessed May 2, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.