SUMMER 2013
Adviser Update
THE ROCK
Continued from page 2A
a quality scholastic journalism
experience can have in the
lives of students — from
informing them of their
constitutional rights and
how to exercise them to
developing literacy, critical
thinking and writing skills. He
is thoughtful and passionate
about scholastic journalism,
and is dedicated to its vitality.”
Today’s trends
Since one of the goals of
the CSPA is to recognize
that journalism can be a
means towards broader
understanding of society and
people, its value is even more
important today and in the
future, as there has been a
decline of print journalism
with papers closing and entire
photography staffs being let
go. Sullivan has some insights
as to what advisers, students
and journalism programs can
do to preserve the integrity of
their work and their existence.
“Although newspapers
may be dying, journalism
is thriving,” he said. “For
example, blogs and social
media show how many
opinions still want to be
expressed and shared.
Students should be taught
how to do that with care and
responsibility.”
He continued to elaborate
about the importance of
learning and utilizing digital
2013 — CSPA Executive Director
Ed Sullivan at Columbia University’s
2013 commencement ceremony.
media. “Today students and
advisers must quickly learn to
do digital journalism. School
officials are cutting printing
budgets to save a few dollars
in the short term,” Sullivan
explained, “but those dollars
were going to disappear
sooner or later. People have
rapidly changed their habits
of news consumption and
tablets and mobile devices are
quickly becoming dominant.
High school and college
students are already digital
natives, so it makes great
sense to move there now.”
From Sullivan’s comments it
is evident that the practice and
knowledge of solid journalism
practice emphasized from the
very beginning of the CSPA
are just as important today.
“Student reporters, writers
and editors need to embrace
2006 — Ed Sullivan leads, teaches and
inspires both students and advisers on a
daily basis.
the best practices of digital
journalism,” he said. “Verify
your facts, quote your
sources, admit your mistakes,
and be accountable to your
readers and viewers. It’s not
enough to say ‘leave it to
Facebook’ or whatever the
latest digital platform may be.”
Sullivan urged that we
must continue to support and
embrace