COLUMN: Oh, what a fine piece of work
How about that front page? Isn’t it beautiful?
Thanks to some creativity from Zak Larsen, photo editor for The Utah Statesman and a little teamwork, today’s front page is one to really make an editor proud.
The person responsible for laying out (designing) the page is Marie Griffin, our news editor.
Page 1 of a newspaper is probably the second-most pressing call of “Pick me up” to its readers. It is only preceded by the paper’s reputation and the respect it exudes. But getting you to read takes more than earning your respect.
So we try to come up with the coolest, most-vibrant, eye-catching front pages we can. Keep in mind this doesn’t mean overly sensational headlines, untruths and stories filled with gobbledygook. It means telling our stories as best as we can – visually.
Zak once told me, “[As photographers] we get to speak in 1,000-word blocks.”
He’s right. Those pictures can sure say a lot.
We want to catch your eye. We want you to say “I should take a look at that.” Once you get your eye on the page, we want you to want to take in as much information as you can.
This is because you can only make the best decisions about campus, city and state issues when you have the most information. Don’t forget, you are the ones with the power. You have a voice. Use it as best as you can. Since we, as journalists, are the independent observers, the only people we work for, besides ourselves, is you.
Think about the decisions your leaders make. Don’t let the news – whether it be from the features or sports sections, or from the front page – go to waste.
Now, I’ve had a few of you write to me. Thank you. But to tell you the truth, I’m feeling kind of lonely. Could it really be that everything is hunky-dory on campus? Everyone is happy? Guess what? Even if you are happy, let me know. Sometimes people feel there is just too much negativity. You can change that. Keep on writing.
You can even come and talk to me anytime. I’m nice, I swear. Come on, would a mean guy have a smile like I do?
Thanks for reading everyone. We’re proud of what we do. I stand behind our performance 100 percent. Come have a word with me. I appreciate what you have to say.
Joseph Dougherty is the Editor in Chief. Comments can be sent to editor@statesman.usu.edu