Welcome to The Chronicle Blogger

Chronicle editor-in-chief Ryan McCartney started blogging yesterday at The Chronicle Blogger (CB). You can visit here.

I hope you will pay a welcome visit and share opinions, questions and concerns.

You’ll be one of the first to comment. At 11:30 A.M. Eastern, Feb. 8, there were only two comments there.

The Chronicle itself and Duke University pay attention to The Chronicle’s
institutional history. McCartney’s decision to lead The Chronicle into the blogosphere is a very significant one. Why he and others made it, how they manage the blog, and its impact on The Chronicle and Duke will be looked at and assessed for many decades.

More immediately, The Chronicle Blogger is going to receive intense scrutiny from many in the Duke community, especially those weary of blogs or worse, who've exhibited the kind of prejudice toward blogs that allows them to demean all blogs for the actions of only some, just as people with other forms of prejudice demean all members of a group based on the actions of only some group members.

The CB may cause “a little heartburn” among those in senior administration and on faculty who want everyone to “look forward.” That’s because I think once people discover the blog, many of them will start asking the kinds of questions I asked in the comment I left for Ryan at the CB. (see below)

It’s quite a step McCartney (with I know support and planning from other editors and staffers) has taken.

I wish The Chronicle Blogger well.

My comment to Ryan follows.

John
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Dear Ryan,

Welcome to the blogosphere. I hope you and other Chronicle staff have a productive and satisfying stay.

Does your presence here mean that the next time President Brodhead or professors attack bloggers, the Chronicle will have a more fact-based and balance response than just slam the bloggers?

I have a question about news and editorial coverage of the events of May 18. Remember? That was when racists shouted threats at Reade Seligmann, including death threats in the courtroom?

To the best of my knowledge, TC never reported or editorialized on those events? Why not?

The trustees, President Brodhead, the senior administration, and just about everyone on the A&S faculty said nothing.

Their silences were and remain a big story. But I can’t find any mention of them in either your news or editorial columns. Why not?

The Chronicle had a reason(s) for not speaking out when the Women’s Lacrosse team was subjected to all that sexist media abuse when the women decided to wear sweat bands with the indicted players numbers on them at the National Championship in Boston.
What was The Chronicle’s reason for not speaking out?

Here’s a news tip: In his press releases on Mar. 25 and Apr. 5, President Brodhead never said anything about the extensive cooperation the players had provided the police.

As Brodhead remained silent, the “Wanted” and “Vigilante” posters circulated; and the dangers to the players, other Dukies and everyone else in the community grew.

How about doing a story on why Brodhead said nothing back then about the “wall of silence” falsehood.

Dean of students Sue Wasiolek knows a lot about the players’ cooperation with police. She’d be a good source for background.

There’s more I could say but I don’t want this to get overly long.

Again, Ryan, welcome to the blogoshpere. I’m glad you and TC have taken this step.

Sincerely

John in Carolina