The Online Tartan: A Disappointment

Lynn Sommerville was sitting in her apartment armed with a tea bag and a pillow for support. Isaac Seeland was hunched over the table asking himself how he got suckered into commenting on the school paper. Michelle Webber was wondering why she was being asked so many questions and Abigail Soleberg was confidently sipping her coffee. All said they were disappointed with The Tartan’s online transition.

Sommerville, a junior English major with senior standing explained that her previous opinion of the Tartan was that it needed work. “It seemed like a high school paper to me” she said, “there were no ‘letters to the editor’, no articles on important events, I mean a few election pieces but overall there was no real substance.”

The online transition however, made her sad. “It reflects badly on the school to have no publication. There is something about a tangible copy and that probably is a little nostalgic.”

Seeland a Communications major interested in film had more to say on the online aspect. “There may be a small intentional audience that still reads it, but you won’t have the readership you did before when you could just pick up a copy”.

Webber, another Comm student, was a little more optimistic. She understood the advantage, that it could be updated and changed around the clock. “At the same time”, she said, “there is something more official about a printed paper. It gives it more authority as opposed to making the Tartan seem like an online blog.”

Solberg was perhaps the most vocal. “I think it is stupid! There is something special about holding the paper in your hand. I mean, it’s called a newsPAPER.” 

It is clear that regardless of their opinion before, students are unhappy about the change. One must then ask the question is it unethical for the Tartan to print the news where few will read it? Or is it the responsibility of the reader to find out where the news is being reported?

*Photo courtesy of Google images.