Dear Hamilton Community,
The Spectator’s
mission statement reads “Publishing the Truth, From Good Motives and For Justifiable Ends.” As a student news organization, we aim to promote the importance of freedom of the press on and off campus. While
The Spectator
is the official college newspaper of Hamilton, we acknowledge the value of having multiple outlets of expression accessible to our community. The diversity in student publications enhances the quality of thought of students, faculty and staff alike.
With this in mind, we cannot ignore recent developments threatening freedom of expression in the world. On Sunday morning, Israel raided the bureau of Al Jazeera in Ramallah, West Bank, ordering the organization to shut down its office, as reported by Associated Press. This move was denounced by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), whose program director stated, “CPJ is deeply alarmed by Israel’s closure of Al Jazeera’s office…Israel’s efforts to censor Al Jazeera severely undermine the public’s right to information on a war that has upended so many lives in the region.”
The Spectator
finds hostility toward journalism disappointing, though we also note that there are existing restrictions on expression in Gaza and the West Bank. We see this as a stark reminder that not everyone is granted the privilege to have their voices heard. We are further reminded of our responsibility to continue to advocate for the right to free press and expression. We encourage Hamilton students to take every opportunity on the Hill to write, share and communicate.
The Spectator
remains an outlet to do so, as do the several other publications that circulate on our campus. In particular, we welcome news and opinion contributions that address underrepresented issues, regardless of their alignment with the views of
The Spectator’s
editorial staff.
Threats to free press worldwide remain concerning. To exclude certain events or perspectives from publicization is a disservice to the ultimate “justifiable end” of news — education. Every Hamilton student should develop a worldview that is rooted in well-rounded, comprehensive and ethical channels of information. These sources have a duty to provide that information, just as readers have a duty to seek it.
Sincerely,
The Spectator
Editorial Board
This message reflects the point of view of the majority of
The Spectator’s
editorial staff, with twelve members voting in favor and three members abstaining.
