By: Jenin Hattab
Dear Wright College,
My name is Jenin Hattab and I am the editor-in-chief of the Wright Times Newspaper. I am a second-year journalism student, graduating this May and will continue my education at DePaul University.
This is my third semester with the Wright Times. I began as a reporter, covering a variety of stories, including campus events, the Super Bowl, new Wright College policies and more.
This is my second semester as editor-in-chief, I am so grateful to work alongside an outstanding, talented, and creative staff. A staff I brag about to everyone, who has helped shape my leadership skills, and that I am proud to call my family.
I knew I wanted to pursue journalism since I was a child hearing conversations about professional news outlets dehumanizing Palestinian voices. It left me with an eerie feeling of injustice. I became determined to enter a field to uncover the truth but also amplify the voices that were too often silenced or misrepresented.
Leading a newspaper where I can express my passion and contribute to the fight for more truthful reporting is an honor I uphold. Feb. 27 marks Student Press Freedom Day. This day is dedicated to celebrating independent student journalists. The Wright Times Newspaper plays a vital role in sharing truthful information about our campus and community.
This day is not just a celebration but a reminder of the ongoing challenges student-run newspapers face; freedom of the press is not without its dangers. Nowadays, misinformation is rapidly spreading at the hands of news outlets and social media. Our responsibility as journalists is to justify the truth, remain independent, and report with virtue.
Student Press Freedom Day serves as a reminder of the importance of defending the rights of student journalists everywhere. Freedom of the press is the lifeblood of a functioning democracy. Without a platform to voice our opinions, raise concerns, or challenge the status quo, we risk silencing the very voices that should be heard most.
The unique privilege of Wilbur Wright College is our student-run newspaper, with a monthly print. Not all schools are fortunate enough to have this resource, and the freedom to publish should never be taken for granted. We must unite to support our students, staff, and neighborhood opinions and voices.
We are eager to announce our new logo and masthead located on our website, and Instagram, which can be found in the QR code to the right. Our past logo was too conflicting with our website and printed version. Our new symbols are to tie them together, much the way the newspaper ties the community together.
The Wright Times Newspaper is not merely for publishing news; we pride ourselves on our space for diverse voices, advice columns, campus adventures, and coverage of Wright College Men and Women's basketball.
Your readership plays an important role, our mission is to provide a platform for our community to express their views and to highlight the stories that are often overlooked. We encourage you to submit any concerns, or inquiries and contribute, as a photographer, illustrator, reporter, or freelancer, by emailing us at WrightTimesStaff@gmail.com.
In this spirit, let us continue to use the power of the press fairly and stand together in support of free expression. We urge you to continue interacting with the newspaper, whether it's contacting us, following our Instagram, or keeping posted on our website. We write for you!
Sincerely,
Jenin Hattab, Editor in Chief of The Wright Times Newspaper.
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