J. Perry Wood, a Dickinsonian who wrote a paper on the local news establishments in Carlisle in 1901, had many opinions about the various newspapers of the time. The three main papers that he discusses are the \u201cHerald,\u201d the \u201cVolunteer,\u201d and the \u201cSentinel\u201d. Wood writes that in Carlisle\u2019s past, over 20 different newspapers have existed, the first being the \u201cCarlisle Weekly Gazzette\u201d which was published from 1785 to 1815.
\nIn 1901, the \u201cSentinel\u201d and the \u201cVolunteer\u201d were considered rivals. However, Wood preferred the \u201cSentinel\u201d claiming that it \u201cis a very modern and progressive newspaper\u201d. Despite this, according to Wood, the \u201cSentinel\u201d as well as the other newpapers, is guilty of \u201ceditorial prejudice\u201d which prevents the newspaper from accurately reporting. Apparently, the newspapers never criticized the negative aspects of Carlisle, but instead glorified the town. Wood also accused the newspapers of not staying up-to-date, writing that \u201cnews is always a day or two late. There is no such thing as an editorial column. In fact there are no separate departments at all – nothing but a jumbled mass\u201d.
\nWood also comments on the \u201cDickinsonian\u201d which he states should be fearless in its search for truth, but that it is instead fearful of the consequences. He believes that \u201cit should be the open crier of college wrongs, the leader in college reform movements\u201d.
\nClearly, Wood had high expectations for the local newspapers, but shouldn\u2019t we all? It is the newspapers\u2019 job to make sure that the citizenry is properly informed and that stories are accurate and relevant. This is not just an issue from Carlisle in 1901, but a worldwide and contemporary one as well.<\/p>\n
J.B.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
J. Perry Wood, a Dickinsonian who wrote a paper on the local news establishments in Carlisle in 1901, had many opinions about the various newspapers of the time. The three main papers that he discusses are the \u201cHerald,\u201d the \u201cVolunteer,\u201d … Continue reading