From the Editor...

Quest for truth requires writers—and their readers

April Reiter

mast editor-in-chief

The Mast set out this year with a range of lofty goals—to bolster the online presence, to increase writer–editor communication, to get in touch with The Mast’s history, and, recently in February, to concentrate on ensuring accuracy in our newsprint.

Some goals, like improving our Web site, were attained. But some, like the pursuit of perfect accuracy, equality and truth within our pages, were not.

This last goal is our fundamental calling as journalists. After all, the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, published on the SPJ Web site, teaches “public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.”

This battle to always pursue truth is something all journalists must contend with in the media, but it is also something we can work toward as a community. The burden and the privilege to seek the truth thus not only falls on our shoulders at the Mast, but on those of our readership—the PLU community.

One example, a shady time in Mast history, illustrates how the truth can be obscured if only one opinion is considered.

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This Week's Comic by Aubrey Lange

Online Column - Puma Kiss Episode

Columnist discusses the harrowing experience of being kissed in public by strangers

Jess Lee - rock.socks.jess@gmail.com Mast Op-ED Columnist

puma kiss(n): a surprise kiss, usually from a foreigner or in a foreign land, in which you are caught completely off guard and all of a sudden find another person's face on yours. Example: I was puma kissed in the Tuileries outside the Louvre by a Greek tourist as tall as my nose!

Friends, there is something about me you should know. I have often spoken of the positive side of travel, waxing poetic about cultural experiences and the like, making lovable jokes about the Viennese and leading you to believe that my life is a veritable fountain of goodness and glory springing forth from the bosom of good luck. 

But I have kept something from you. Often we shield those we love most from knowledge that could hurt them, but I think my last article must be dedicated to your travel education. Not everything goes according to plan when you travel (gasp, who knew?!). I myself have been subject to late trains, sketchy hostels and the occasional wrong turn, but nothing ever prepared me for puma kisses.

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Added Sunday May 11, 2008 at 7:42 PM PST by JKMP.