Nine editors at the University of Colorado’s Campus Press denounced the decision to run an allegedly satirical column targeting Asians, publicly distancing themselves from the online publication’s top leaders and the resulting national furor.
In a post titled “A letter from some different editors”, which was added to the student-run Web site on Tuesday, the students wrote it was a “mistake” to run the column “If it’s war the Asians want…”, in which the writer, Assistant Opinions Editor Max Karson, advocated hunting, kidnapping and reforming Asians by “attacking their souls.”
“Up to now, the media has implied a united stance in our newsroom. This was not the case,” the editors wrote, adding that they never saw the column before it ran online. “The actions of several persons have jeopardized the journalistic careers of all the editors, reporters and photographers involved in this publication. We love and respect our colleagues, but this is simply a decision we cannot support.”
The students who signed the letter against the The Campus Press decision included two news section editors, the assistant news editor, the sports section editor, the assistant sports editor, the entertainment section editor, the assistant entertainment editor, the multimedia editor and the assistant photo editor.
“[The column] has harmed our rapport with our sources, detracted from the content of the Web site’s other sections and thrown the Campus Press in a truly unsavory light,” they wrote. “Satire in this hateful and derogatory manner is not journalism.”
The Campus Press’ editor-in-chief, managing editor, assistant managing editor and online director apologized last week to those offended by the column, though they never explicitly apologized for running the piece.
In an article explaining the editorial process behind the controversial column, Campus Press Editor-in-Chief Cassie Hewlings said she deliberated for weeks over running the column. “I was really hoping the article would be thought provoking and didn’t want it to be hurtful at all.” She added that The Campus Press would reach out to those who felt oppressed on campus.
Amy Herdy, the Web site’s faculty advisor, said the Campus Press will work to increase minority representation among editors, all staff members would receive cultural sensitivity training and a student diversity advisory board would be formed to help guide the editors.
Student groups have called for a formal apology and possibly the replacement of the editor-in-chief, The Boulder Daily Camera reported. The University of Colorado chancellor called the piece “damaging to the community.”
Campus Press editors met with the dean of the University of Colorado’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication late last week. “After a discussion in which each student and Amy expressed feelings, opinions and explanations, we worked out a number of measures for the Campus Press that I hope will preclude such editing lapses in the future,” said Paul Voakes, the school’s dean.
Students are planning a rally on Wednesday to demand more changes at The Campus Press, The Boulder Daily Camera reported.