The Voice’s 2024-2025 scholarship team posing with awards won at the National College Media Convention. Voice file photo
The Washtenaw Voice
Editorial Staff
As we enter the new semester, the Voice wants to welcome everyone–new and returning students, faculty and staff and administration–back to campus. We’re excited to continue producing news content for students, by students.
The Voice looks forward to more than just a new academic start this year. We seek a commitment to transparency, unity and truth–something we strive for and have made strides in the last semester, but we want to focus more on this winter.
At its core, journalism is about telling the stories that need to be heard. And in an age where misinformation spreads as quickly as the truth, it’s more important than ever to stay committed to the facts–no matter how uncomfortable they may be.
Journalism isn’t perfect. It doesn’t claim to be. We’re human, and we make mistakes. At the Voice, we take accountability very seriously. If there is a mistake or error, we make sure that it is taken care of swiftly and vigilantly. We extend an invitation to readers who notice, and they are more than welcome to reach out to editors through email: thewashtenawvoice@gmail.com or by phone: (734) 677-5125.
We’re not going to “save the world” through our reporting. It’s too idealistic and too naive to think that any job can truly “save the world.”
Although it isn’t perfect, it’s powerful. As student journalists, we can do our diligence to provide accurate information for the campus community.
Being a student journalist comes with responsibilities. We uphold our journalistic integrity through a Code of Ethics set by the Society of Professional Journalists that calls for seeking truth and reporting it, minimizing harm, acting independently and being accountable and transparent.
We’re a team of students comprising editors, writers, graphic designers, photographers and even a business manager. Voice staff members receive a scholarship from the college. However, any scholarship student on the Voice cannot hold a leadership position in a club or be an employee of the college, as it avoids a conflict of interest. Contributors can come in and contribute. They receive payment for their contributions through our advertisement sales. But, just because we receive some sort of stipend, it doesn’t change what we do.
We aren’t paid to write what others want us to. We report on what’s newsworthy, relevant and–most importantly–true. It’s not about pleasing anyone. It’s about sticking to the facts while giving a platform to student voices.
One main thing the Voice is focusing on is engagement. We’re moving towards a rebrand, as social media is at the forefront of news coverage, and we plan to post more. At the end of the fall semester, we started our YouTube channel up again with Voice Box coverage.
At the end of the day, journalism and media are about connecting people. There’s something special about this campus. We’re a diverse institution with students, faculty and administration, and we have so many stories to tell. We want to be your voice of authenticity, integrity and inclusivity.
Editor emails are open to anyone who wants to voice their concerns or questions about stories, policies and more. We also encourage anyone with news tips, story ideas or who just wants to learn about the Voice to stop by SC-109 to engage.
We meet weekly on Mondays at 5 p.m. in SC-109 or via Zoom. So, welcome back, let’s get to work!
