Our Opinion: Editorial Ethics

By Matthew Rupel, Editor-in-Chief of The Santa Clara

The Santa Clara published an anonymous editorial last week that failed to live up to the newspaper's commitment to quality reporting. While the opinion page is intended to be a platform to foster dialogue on campus about various issues, which includes diversity, the newspaper does not promote unfair and unsubstantiated reporting.

There is a long-standing policy at TSC to not run opinion pieces under an anonymous byline. Not only does this allow the author a chance to stand behind his or her own work, but it sets a level of transparency for the newspaper. This policy was overlooked by the editorial staff, which was a mistake.

The article indicated that various groups and individuals on the campus failed to promote an adequate level of diversity on campus, even going so far as to allude to racist behaviors on campus. There were not appropriate levels of reporting or evidence to substantiate these claims. All articles, no matter where they appear, should be extensively researched and all claims, particularly one so serious as racism, should be substantiated by sound evidence. The editorial staff, myself included, failed to ensure this level of accuracy.

Furthermore, the article did not provide place for a response from opposing viewpoints. Fairness is an important foundation in journalism, and it is the newspaper's responsibility to allow for individuals to respond to accusations before publishing material. Not allowing that was another mistake.

While I can't take back the damage that may have been caused, I can hope to assure readers that TSC strives to achieve thorough and fair journalistic standards every week.

Significant errors like this are taken with the utmost sincerity, and we want to acknowledge and correct them as quickly and in the best manner possible.

I do want to encourage the campus community to consider the issue of diversity on campus. While the article itself contained serious flaws, it is important to remain open to discuss what others feel about diversity on campus. I encourage readers to write in about their feelings on diversity in the campus community.

Matthew Rupel is the Editor-in-Chief of The Santa Clara.