Student leaders criticized The Battalion during a panel discussion with Battalion editors on Wednesday, saying that A&M’s student newspaper is insensitive to racial issues and is prone to factual errors.
“(Battalion staffers) must understand the duty and responsibility you have to give a good and quality product. Quality in our eyes, not just yours,” said Lyndon Pryor, representative of the Department of Multicultural Services.
Battalion Editor in Chief Brandie Liffick said the newspaper welcomed constructive criticism and encouraged students to share their concerns about stories with editors.
Barry Hammond, president of the Memorial Student Center Council, said lack of accountability was a problem for The Battalion, and suggested the University remove all support from the newspaper to make room for another publication.
“They have a monopoly on campus,” said Hammond, a senior finance major.
Battalion Managing Editor Sommer Bunce said the staff of The Battalion always addresses mistakes in the paper.
“We try our best to make sure we are accountable,” said Bunce, a junior journalism major.
Panelists said the Student Media Board, which oversees The Battalion and is comprised of faculty, students and staff, should do more to hold the Battalion staff accountable for the content and accuracy of the paper.
The moderator of the discussion, Dr. Larry Oliver, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said the forum demonstrated a need for communication between the Battalion staff and student leaders.
Resident Hall Association President John Casares said mistakes in The Battalion have been unacceptable.
“The Battalion needs to be more accurate,” said Casares, a senior management major. “A lot of times things need to be double-checked.”
Students said the Battalion staff has been unresponsive to suggestions and complaints.
One student said he made four phone calls to the Battalion that were never returned and wrote numerous letters that were not published.
“Do not assume your letters won’t get published,” said Liffick, a senior journalism major. “Don’t assume your calls won’t get returned.”
Several students attending the forum said they were unhappy with the coverage their organizations’ events had received from The Battalion.
Panelist Burke Wilson, Corps of Cadets public relations officer, said The Battalion focused too much on negative issues.
“I want to know what positive things students are doing,” said Wilson, a senior speech communications major. “There are positive things happening on campus, but they are never on the front page.”
Battalion News Editor Rolando Garcia, a senior political science major, said The Battalion’s goal was not to focus on negative issues, and focused on covering issues vital to the student body.
Battalion adviser Ron George suggested those unhappy with the newspaper apply to join the staff and fix the problems they see.
“Anyone can apply to work at The Battalion,” George said.
Liffick responded to questions on the role the paper expects its staff to serve on campus.
“We want our staff to serve you,” Liffick said. “Our main goal is to serve the student body.”
George said the Battalion staff are not students’ enemy.
“The reporters who work for The Battalion are your fellow students; they are not out to get you, ” George said.