Why is The Lamron Opinion section so liberal? The short answer is that it is self-selecting. The long answer is a bit more complicated. The Opinion section consists of articles that deal with any timely current event or issue, whether on campus or off campus. It is necessary that some research go into the article since anything that is well-argued requires background knowledge and reputable sources to back it up.
Writers need a clear thesis and convincing arguments. That being said, if a writer has a particular view on any given event or issue and can argue it well, then that editorial will be considered for publication.
There is a liberal bias in the Opinion section. The nature of The Lamron, a completely student-run newspaper, is such that it is self-selecting. If you come to our meeting and find an editor of your chosen section, you can write.
Because most recruiting is done through e-mails and posters, we advertise to as wide an audience as possible. We are here to represent students and the entire spectrum of student views.
It is clear, however, that not all students’ views are represented in the Opinion section—namely, more conservative perspectives are missing. I have heard that some are under the impression that we are a liberal paper and have a liberal agenda, but this is simply not true.
Students’ intentional involvement creates the essence of the paper. If this were a generally conservative campus, this might be more of a conservative paper. This is, however, a largely liberal campus and it just so happens that those who write for the Opinion section hold liberal views.
This has been the case for at least the last two Opinion editors. Even when my predecessors have made recruitment efforts, their efforts were often futile. This is not to make any commentary on potential conservative writers, but it has been the case in the past. I can also see that perhaps because there has been such a lack of conservative opinion writers, potential writers have felt that this section might be alienating them.
Consider this my open invitation to writers of all viewpoints. The Lamron wants to represent as many student voices as possible and it is clear that we are not currently fulfilling this goal. We want to represent the student body of Geneseo and the only way this section will be less liberal is if there are fewer liberal writers, or rather, more conservative writers.
The Geneseo community wants to hear you because there is probably someone else who shares your view. Face-offs—where two writers broach the same topic from different viewpoints—make for an exciting issue. A greater variety in well-argued perspectives will invariably make for a stronger section.
I hope this makes it clear that my agenda for this section is neither my personal agenda, nor that of anyone else involved with The Lamron. My agenda as Opinion editor is good arguments––that’s it. If you want to discuss a current event or a more conceptual, albeit timely issue, you should come to a meeting and propose that idea. I am more than happy to listen.