Speak up so we can hear you

It is a journalist's responsibility to sift through details, develop relationships and uncover potentially interesting story ideas. But no newspaper can publish stories without sources -- and that is where The Cavalier Daily's readers and critics can enter the picture.

For almost every breaking news story or sports report, there is a whistle-blower -- someone willing to step up, "do the right thing" and say something about a perceived problem or concern. Without whistle-blowers, a newspaper ceases to remain relevant and instead becomes a vehicle for press release distribution. Without someone to highlight and illuminate issues that might otherwise go under the radar -- like the disenfranchisement of minority groups or the controversial dealings of higher-ups -- the press inevitably fails to serve its readers as best it could. Sources' voices are papers' voices; if nobody is willing to say something, The Cavalier Daily generally cannot say something, or will at least continue underreporting the stories that matter.

There is good news, though. The Cavalier Daily always is actively searching for hot leads, and there are laws governing the free press that protect sources. We understand that, for the sake of truth, whistle-blowers frequently endanger their jobs and reputations. That is why papers offer anonymity, and that is why reporters can talk about issues off the record before they go on the record. The Cavalier Daily, like any respectable media publication, values our sources and strives to protect them as best we can. So, if you are upset about our coverage of an issue or if you have a story idea, speak up. Send an e-mail to editor@cavalierdaily.com or call 434-924-1082 -- because if protection is warranted, we will provide and listen, so that we can help you make a positive impact on the world. We are not looking for skeletons in closets, but we are looking to cover the stories you care about. For both papers and whistle-blowers, it's the truth that counts.

Fair, balanced and willing to hear your side of the story

Many a media organization -- The Cavalier Daily included -- has been criticized by some readers for printing stories deemed one-sided and tendentious. Before any non-editorial article is published, however, it is vetted for accuracy and fairness. If an opinion -- no matter how serious -- about an organization or person is included in an article, that organization or person must have a chance to respond to those allegations or offer an opposing/different view. Because this is the case, writers are specifically instructed early in their college journalism careers to contact "all sides," for the sake of crafting the most balanced story possible. And after a writer turns in his or her story, the article is subject to a thorough and comprehensive review by a section editor, a copy editor, an assistant managing editor, the managing editor and the editor-in-chief. The lengthy process is meant to ensure quality and consistency in terms of writing, style, reporting veracity and -- you guessed it -- bias (which is to say, of course, a lack of bias).
That being said, when The Cavalier Daily makes a dutiful effort to contact a source and/or offers an adequate response time, and that source either declines to comment or proves unavailable to comment, it falls to the discretion of the editor-in-chief and the paper's current managing board to make a decision whether to print the story as is -- without inclusion of that source's unvoiced opinions. If a story is deemed relevant or conducive to the paper's goals and mission, the article may be published and the lack of comment disclosed.
Still, just because we COULD publish a slightly imbalanced article does not mean we SHOULD. Obviously, there are times when it becomes necessary to take this approach, but such an option should be the last and least desired one. Know, then, that if a member of The Cavalier Daily contacts you about a story, chances are that it is not because he or she wants to subject you to intense questioning or unfair scrutiny -- it is that he or she simply desires for you to tell your side of the story and provide a different perspective about it, so that we can continue producing high-quality content that is both insightful and fair to all parties involved.

UBE Elections Supplement

It may not be as glitzy as the Super Bowl – or even the recently completed Cavalier Daily elections – but our University Board of Election supplement has become an annual feature appreciated by students and local community members invested in the future of student self-governance at the University. This year, by once again partnering with UBE, we will be able to deliver the most in-depth analysis of races as they take shape. We also will be able to present candidates' responses to selected questions, so as to better inform our readers before they head to the polls about the University's future student leaders. With a variety of changes to election procedures on tap for 2009, look for The Cavalier Daily to break down the information you need to know if you intend to vote. Expect the issue to hit newsstands Monday, Feb. 16 – the day polls open – and visit www.uvavote.com for more information (including the complete schedule of events) about the upcoming University-wide elections.