For so many times in the past, I have heard several people in the university accusing The NORSUnian of being bias to one party or another. For many times I have heard of people who keeps on saying that the publication should publish this and that. For many times I have heard of the countless complainers grumbling about a lot of things that does not satisfy them.

And for the many times that I have heard of all this, I can count in one finger the number of times we published something regarding their complaints. Why? Is the publication really protecting somebody then?

The answer would be a firm “NO”. The NORSUnian is not protecting anybody or is it bias to anybody.

As much as we would like to cater to everybody’s complaints, we can only do so if the people concerned would cooperate. The problem always lies in the reluctance of people to speak out and stand by their statements. The problem is that, there are a lot of complainers but very few would want to have their names published or even just stand for what ever it is they are complaining about.

The publication has always had the policy of “no anonymity” which restricts us from publishing articles with no clear source—aside of course if the story is of really confidential nature which could possibly harm the source. Anonymity questions the credibility of the source, the report and of course the publication. Besides, why hide your identity if you know that you are telling the truth?

If you know that what you are doing is right then stand by it. Don't hide.
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I had been saying again and again that the publication is a STUDENT PUBLICATION and not a university publication.
Why can't some people understand that unless they win in the bidding they could not print the paper? Are they stupid or what?
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We don't need the publicity really. The NORSUnian is for the student's of NORSU and not for the whole province of Negros Oriental. Besides, we too have the website. In fact, our website is better than what is being offered.

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WE fight you. We write you.

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This is exactly how I would describe editing sessions. But at least it's a lot better now that I am no longer the news editor.

Before, I would literally have migraines after editing news articles. Though it is a lot better now because by the time the articles reach me it was already edited by the news editor and the assistant news editor so the articles are not that hard to understand already. There would be confusions but at least not as bad as before when there are times when I am tempted to junk the articles whenever my patience is running out. And my patience always runs out whenever I edit.
Here are some of the reasons why:

1. Unfinished articles. I always hate it when I am already in the mood to edit and the deadline has already come and gone and I still don't have an article to edit. I hate it even more if I ask the writer if they are done with their articles and they would tell me that it is all ready and then I wouldn't find anything when I check on it. And I usually reach the boiling point when I find an article saved in the news folder but only contains a headline and a lead.

2. Confusing articles. There are just times when I couldn't understand a single thing from the article I am reading because the writers would mix details and, I suspect, transliterate when they encode. I mean, its like this, when you write something in English but you are mentally constructing the sentence in cebuano or tagalog, you end up with a really nosebleeding article because you transliterate whatever is on your mind.

3. Lost Writers. Not in the literal sense of course but I really do hate it when I ask writers for clarifications on their articles and they seem as lost as I am. I mean, hello? you are the one gathering the data and you are the one talking to those people so don't ask me what happened because I am asking you too!

4. Attributions. Plagiarism is a crime, that I believe. That is why I always make sure that the things written in every single article are those of the writers and not copy-pasted from some where, especially for articles where they have to use the internet to verify or get more details. I think copy-pasting details from websites is a sign of laziness and should not be tolerated. You may of course use the information you got from websites but, please, don't just copy-paste it.

5. Right click->synonym. Whoever said that highfalutin words makes you sound more intelligent should try reconsidering. Actually, it depends on how you use the word. Words are only powerful if you know how to use it properly.

Using highfalutin words without knowing what it really means or as substitute for simple ones makes you look insecure. It looks like you are merely writing to fetch admiration from people or impress those around you. If that is so, then journalism is not for you because I don't think that the role of journalism is to impress.

As what my former feature writing instructor said, "if a simple word will suffice then use it." What good is an article if nobody understands it? Your readers don't carry dictionaries with them you know? And if your readers are distracted by your high-sounding words, no matter how beautiful the write-up is, it will all mean nothing.

So yes, despite my reluctance to be in the position I am occupying now, I am still thankful that at least I had gotten away from the curse of being the first to edit the news articles.

Being an editor is not a privilege at all, I tell you. It actually is a burden.

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"Follow the leader"
-a line used so often that it has somehow lost its meaning. To follow the leader does not only mean following instructions and orders.

"Lead by example"
-there was this line I've read from an old Academic issue of the Corps Magazine (the PMA magazine) written by the then Class Baron of PMA Class 2002 and I think this fits my line of thinking perfectly. It says, "lead your men by example and they will obey with willingness, confidence, respect, and loyal cooperation."

So true.

If you want your subordinates to follow the rules, show them how. If you want them to cooperate, give them a reason to.


"Children are confused about right and wrong because adults talk right then do wrong"
- read this a long time ago from a woman's magazine (can't remember if its Mod or Women's journal). I guess its the same with leadership. When you say something then do something else, it confuses your followers and they will most likely follow what you do more than follow what you said.

"Walk the talk"
-If you say you will do it, then do it. If you keep on saying something to people then don't do it at all people will eventually take your words for granted. And again, so is with leadership. If you say they will be punished then show them that you mean it because otherwise they will learn to take the threat as nothing but a threat.

and lastly,

"Action speaks louder than words"
-and this doesn't have to be elaborated.

Now, get my drift?

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Not that we were given a rest from editing all through out the summer, but but we are now back to our regular editing and layouting sessions. I can already see it; sleepless nights, backaches, rising tempers (mine usually), nosebleeds, etc.

The school year has just begun but I couldn't summon the energy to at least look enthusiastic with the prospect of publishing again. There are times when I would strongly consider resigning and focusing on my studies instead. I feel so tired and so bored with this office and people here. I mean, they are surely fun to be with and the office is like home but I've been here practically the whole year (and my whole college life) that I am longing for some fresh air and new environment.

I never even had the chance to enjoy summer or take a rest. I never even had the chance to go to other places and see something new for a change. I never even had the chance to indulge myself in a well deserve rest.

And now the school year has started and there will be no respite for me until next summer. By then I will be looking for a job already (hopefully) as I am hoping to graduate next March. So, when can I have the luxury of enjoyment? I don't think I will ever have the chance to enjoy summer again after I graduated. Jobs don't have summer breaks you know.

Oh well, guess I can't do anything about it now. So I'll just finish editing now. We will start the layouting this week and also publish this week. Hope no glitches this time. *fingers crossed*

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