Independent, new look same old crap - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Feb 3, 2005

Independent, new look same old crap

Date: Feb 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Fred Friendly
"Well boys and girls, have you seen the new look of the Independent? Basically what they are trying to do is take the little bit of editorialized news they have and make it look like more with the small format. Bob Pitman's little story about changing to that format called it a "bold move." Looks like to me it's a desperate move."

Fred, Why is this matter so important to you? Me thinks you might have an itch to scratch.

Date: Feb 3, 2005

No itch, just a large dislike for the Independent and its owners. I don't like their brand of journalism, and I don't like the fact they always write factless stories. They've attack people who are just doing their job and make them look bad.

Date: Feb 3, 2005

As Fred Friendly's attack on the Independent seems to come out of left field, I picked up a copy to see what's eating FF -- besides that the paper now is tabloid size. I found three USM stories. One summarizes, without editorializing, already published accounts of the enrollment increase of 92 students. Another brief one, titled "Faculty Senate considering confidence vote on Thames," begins: "Amid the smouldering ashes of a disrupted campus...," but after that the Ind.'s story, which was written before Wednesday night's Faculty Senate meeting, again comes from other published sources and makes its points without comment. Is it the third story that raises FF's ire?

The Independent, Feb. 3, 2005

"'National role model' is Southern Miss goal"

The University of Southern Mississippi, wracked with faculty turmoil, student unrest, warnings and probation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and slapped with a nationally published letter from a retired out-of-state professor advising his colleagues to avoid Mississippi and, in particular, the University of Southern Mississippi, has plans to become a "premier, comprehensive, dual campus university," that will be a "national role model."

And that can take place, the University suggests, if another $800 million is provided in addition to the base budgets for the years from 2006 through 2010....

[Summary: USM's five-year strategic plan -- included in the Board's "Five-Year Strategic Plan, 2006-2010" completed last summer -- calls for increased funding for Gulf Coast Research Lab, Polymer Institute, and "the University's Center for Higher Learning." The Ind. suggests there's a disjunction between USM's plan and the IHL's stated system goals, then goes on to say that the plan doesn't address "the present turmoil" and SACS probation -- probation that came after USM developed the plan but a plan that was nevertheless developed after USM had been warned by SACS to get its act together. The Ind. says the plan is "silent" on where an additional $800 million might be found when the state is operating in the red. USM intends to be known as (Ind. quoting here) "a national center for economic development research and education," then points out that USM was making these claims as the Lott Center fell further and further behind schedule. Plan says low salaries will keep USM from attracting "quality scholars, scientists, and performing artists." Plan notes that USM has been historically underfunded. Turning to the Gulf Coast, the plan calls for land acquisition and (Ind. quoting here) "significant growth" in GC enrollment in next five years. Plan envisions expansion of "healthcare" and "hospitality management" courses on the coast, even though Ind. notes Thames's denials about plans for a GC medical school and yet unresolved legal issues with offering gaming courses.]

Date: Feb 3, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: 50 cents poorer
As Fred Friendly's attack on the Independent seems to come out of left field, I picked up a copy to see what's eating FF -- "The University of Southern Mississippi, wracked with faculty turmoil, student unrest, warnings and probation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and slapped with a nationally published letter from a retired out-of-state professor advising his colleagues to avoid Mississippi and, in particular, the University of Southern Mississippi, has plans to become a "premier, comprehensive, dual campus university," that will be a "national role model." And that can take place, the University suggests, if another $800 million is provided in addition to the base budgets for the years from 2006 through 2010.... [Summary: USM's five-year strategic plan -- included in the Board's "Five-Year Strategic Plan, 2006-2010" completed last summer -- calls for increased funding for Gulf Coast Research Lab, Polymer Institute, and "the University's Center for Higher Learning." The Ind. suggests there's a disjunction between USM's plan and the IHL's stated system goals, then goes on to say that the plan doesn't address "the present turmoil" and SACS probation -- probation that came after USM developed the plan but a plan that was nevertheless developed after USM had been warned by SACS to get its act together. The Ind. says the plan is "silent" on where an additional $800 million might be found when the state is operating in the red. USM intends to be known as (Ind. quoting here) "a national center for economic development research and education," then points out that USM was making these claims as the Lott Center fell further and further behind schedule. Plan says low salaries will keep USM from attracting "quality scholars, scientists, and performing artists." Plan notes that USM has been historically underfunded. Turning to the Gulf Coast, the plan calls for land acquisition and (Ind. quoting here) "significant growth" in GC enrollment in next five years. Plan envisions expansion of "healthcare" and "hospitality management" courses on the coast, even though Ind. notes Thames's denials about plans for a GC medical school and yet unresolved legal issues with offering gaming courses.] "

As far as I can tell, those statements seem to be reasonably accurate. They do touch on some matters not reported by the major newspapers. I'd say the Independent is to be commended rather than bashed.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

The only reason the Independent gets good USM news is because of the contacts the owners have with high ranking officials. Sure, they may represent the struggle at USM well, but they aren't reporting it accurately. Check the story, how many sources are named? Not many and often time its an unnamed source. Those stories might be accurate, but there are hundreds more non-USM stories that they drop the ball on.
Yes, I am out of left field on this, but I just want you to be aware of the facts. Most of the time they just rewrite the information from the Hattiesburg American.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Fred Friendly
Sure, they may represent the struggle at USM well . . . but there are hundreds more non-USM stories that they drop the ball on."

Heavens to Betsy, Freddy, the Indendent is only a community newspaper. It is not a daily paper, and it does not have the enormous financial support of Gannett such as the Hattiesburg American and the Jackson Clarion-Ledger have, and most certainly not the number of reporters. The Independent is not expected to report the "hundreds more non- USM stories" you mention. What would you have them print among those "hundreds": a writeup of Aunt Mae's Saturday afternoon garden party?

Date: Feb 4, 2005

No, I don't expect them to cover everything. I expect them to use some integrity. Maybe my dislike of them goes too far, I don't know. All I ask is that people watch them and sooner or later they will see the corruption.

Date: Feb 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Fred Friendly
"All I ask is that people watch them . . . . . . . . . . "

Fair enough.