BALANCING ACT

As editor of the University of Portland’s student newspaper, The Beacon, I was excited when I heard Willamette Week had decided to pick up our story about the recent criticism of the University’s sex policies. But I ended up being thoroughly disappointed by the sensationalism and lack of objectivity that permeated throughout your account of the issue (“Screwed U.P.,” April 23, 2008).

The case presented by Ms. Kerns is a single incident that, by itself, does not constitute news. The news, as we determined, was the fact that various campus groups have expressed concern that alleged sexual assault victims would be penalized for violation of University policies. We therefore decided not to center our story on Ms. Kerns’ allegations.

Willamette Week’s failure to focus on the issue at hand—concern about University policy—is outrageous. WW sensationalized Ms. Kerns’ story, and, in so doing, re-incriminated an individual who has neither been convicted by the University nor faced criminal charges.

Ms. Slovic claims that “The Beacon, UP’s student newspaper, reported April 10 on the case after Kerns came forward anonymously to criticize UP.…” In actuality it was we, The Beacon, who chose not to reveal Ms. Kerns’ identity so as to avoid unnecessary harm to the other student involved—even though Ms. Kerns consented to The Beacon publishing her name.

By the way, did you even try to contact the other student for his comment? Or is Facebook now a sufficient way to balance a story?

Caitlin Moran
Editor, The Beacon, University of Portland

Beth Slovic responds: I respectfully disagree with Ms. Moran’s assertion that a single incident of alleged sexual assault does not constitute news. Ms. Moran writes that it was important to point out that various campus groups expressed concern that alleged sexual-assault victims would be penalized for violating University of Portland policies. I agree. That’s why, in the third paragraph of my story, I wrote the following: “The two-year-old conflict has fresh implications at the private Catholic university because some of UP’s 3,000 students are now struggling to make sure their school doesn’t go after victims of sexual assault if they were engaged in underage drinking when the alleged assault occurred.”

Ms. Moran also states that WW re-incriminated an individual—the alleged perpetrator. WW did not publish his name, so it’s hard to see how he was re-incriminated.

Ms. Moran is correct that I wrote that the victim came forward “anonymously” to the student newspaper. It would have been more accurate to state that The Beacon knew the identity of the victim, but chose not to use her name. That was their right. With the victim’s permission, I chose to publish her name.

Ms. Moran is correct that I should have spoken with the young man. However, I did include his side of the story—that he says the sex was consensual—by relying on documents such as a letter from the University of Portland judicial coordinator to the woman, not just Facebook messages.

DUPE OF EARL

Regarding your endorsement for U.S. House District 3 [“For the Love of Politics,” May 30, 2008]: Endorse Earl, you promote the criminal Bush.

Earl Blumenauer says impeachment is not on the table because there is other more important business. I question that. We can’t make progress when our feet and funds are chained by this illegal war. What would a distracting investigation ask? Did Bush/Cheney break the law on torture, detainment without lawyers, extreme signing orders, firing attorneys, wiretaps, lying to start the war, lying to prolong the war, and lying about letting energy companies create laws? Earl will not use the one tool that can work: impeachment. Earl got silent to get his seat on the Ways and Means committee. Will the media ever get un-bedded and help end the war with images like a burning girl in Vietnam? When we kill the innocent, we become the enemy. When you endorse the sleeping security guard, you promote the criminal. You can promote peace and justice by voting no to Earl and yes to Joe Walsh for house.

Joe Rowe
Via wweek.com

THE TRIUMPH OF HOPE OVER EXPERIENCE

I love how Willamette Week says they aren’t falling for the “messiah” message then shows Obama walking out of the Willamette river in all white [“For the Love of Politics,” May 30, 2008], like he was just baptized the new savior of politics. Could you send a more contradictory message. Not that it’s a surprise you endorsed the more liberal candidate, but if you’re going to do so, can you do so with some facts, rather than some nonsense about how this election is about “change” and “hope” instead of experience? This just shows that you’ve bought into his stump speech and aren’t objective. Can’t change be made because of the amount of experience one has to do that with? My vote goes to Clinton. Nice try, Willamette.

Marsha
via wweek.com

YOUR PICK FOR HD45 IS RIGHT ON!

Michael Dembrow is a fantastic choice for the Legislature. We need his experience, intelligence, and with the coming economic difficulties, his understanding of the educational engine that will make or break the future liveability of this state.

Oregonian37
Via wweek.com

YOUR PICK FOR HD45 IS WAY OFF!

Shame on the WillyWeek for overlooking Cyreena Boston! She’s a rising star! A local from the community, smart, innovative, and exactly what Oregon politics needs! How can you endorse Obama and not endorse Cyreena?! She’s change, she’s progress, and she’s committed.

Lindsay
Via wweek.com

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