Journalists are the writers of history

Roberto Hodge, News Editor

As Eastern celebrates The Daily Eastern News’ 100th volume, it is a time to be thankful and appreciative of the significance of history.

There are not many publications around that can say they have managed to last a century—truly, it is a milestone and something to take great pride in.

Many things can transpire in a century, each name change the university went through was reflected with the nameplate of The News; however, what of those publications that never got to see their 100th year on campus?

Penned on the pages of these documents are historical and timeless amounts of information unique to their era in time.

We  should not count them out of the equation and render them insignificant simply because, for whatever reason, they ceased publication.

Let’s look at Minority Today, or as it was called in the later years of its existence, Fresh! which was a publication that began in the 1980s.

The newspaper supplement of The News was created by James Saunders as a way for African-Americans and other minority journalists to tell their stories either because they did not feel comfortable writing for The News or were dissatisfied with their lack of coverage.

Nevertheless, it was open to anyone who wished to contribute and many did.

Pulse, a publication that ran in 2005 out of the University Board Office, was a glossy and polished entertainment magazine.

The magazine was similar to On the Verge of the Weekend, or Verge, an entertainment section of The News because its sole purpose was to inform the campus of entertainment.

The difference between the two, however, was Verge is a way to educate the community on upcoming weekend venues in Charleston, Pulse was a specialized publication about entertainment related to events on campus.

With that being said, it is a privilege The News has made it to a century.

1915 was a long time ago and having the ability to say a publication has ran for 100 years is a wonderful accomplishment, but again, it is something not every newspaper or magazine is afforded.

The Warbler yearbook, which began in 1919, is fast approaching its centennial with no signs of slowing down.

For them, it is nice to see the book change not only in shape, but content and creativity—congratulations in advance.

Fresh! ceased publication in early spring ’14 because it needed a larger staff and going into the fall semester it required a new adviser; Pulse ended just after about five publications because of expenses.

Both Fresh! and Pulse are considered specialized or niche publications with specific topics and were equally just as important as The News—perhaps even more so.

While having sections or inserts covering these specific topics and groups of individuals in an overall newspaper show progression and a full adequate use of a news publication, no single editor or reporter can cover everything in those areas.

Some feel niche publications are unnecessary and create a divide, but this is not the case.

Each publication whether they are for African-Americans, LGBT, women, men and many more has a purpose and need for those who wish to read.

Even though the two are no longer in print, to say either one of them are “dead” is doing those who wrote for them a disservice.

It invalidates their publication’s purpose and existence, which is highly disrespectful.

So, I say celebrate and enjoy this achievement The News, you’ve weathered many storms and have documented much coverage on this campus both controversial and quirky; may you get the privileged of seeing many more centuries.

Roberto Hodge is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].