Vanguard Editorial

The influence of journalism and its ethos throughout the course of American history is undeniable. A free and unrestrained press is essential to any nation that would purport to call itself a democracy. If journalism as an American institution is in peril, so too are our freedoms.

“In America the president reigns for four years, and journalism governs forever and ever.”
-Oscar Wilde

Institutions, however, can be slow to change. The rise of the Internet and the corporate globalization of mass media have not helped the great American newspaper, nor have our journalistic institutions helped themselves by doing as they have always done. The fundamentals that advanced the American journalist to become a custodian of the American conscience have become burdensome in a media landscape characterized by constant change.

It is in this spirit that the Vanguard moves forward, embracing the impermanence of our profession just as our colleagues have throughout history. We have created a new website, which integrates short video pieces and blogs into our online content. For the first time our readers will have access to photo blog posts that highlight our talented staff of photojournalists, as well as an editor’s blog that will give insight into how we report news to the PSU community.

There are also changes to our print edition, which will now appear on newsstands each Tuesday and Thursday, allowing us to bring in-depth coverage to the page while breaking news throughout the week online at psuvanguard.org. Through the website, students will soon be able to gain access to Vanguard apps for iPad, iPhone and Android devices.

Regardless of how students receive Vanguard content, it’s important for us to remember that we have an obligation to the Portland State community. This obligation is not something that we take lightly, and while it may not always be the news that students and faculty want to read, we hope that it will always be the news that is required.

Below you will find the Vanguard mission statement for the 2011–12 academic year; we encourage those in our community to tell us if we fail to live up to it.

“To serve the PSU community by investigating and reporting on the issues that reflect and inform campus life.

To practice and promote the virtues of ethical and courageous journalism, free of personal advocacy.”

Joshua Hunt
Editor-in-chief
PSU Vanguard