One of the activities that I want to do on campus is write for the campus paper, the Dartmouth. (not the Dartmouth Review- that’s a whole different paper.)
I went to the writer training session, and I was informed that people who write op-eds can’t do news reporting for two terms, as they have an objectivity policy. I understand the reasoning behind this policy and I respect that.
However, I’m now wondering if I should be a regular reporter or continue working on my kickass National Coming Out Month op-ed that I’m writing on behalf of the Dartmouth Rainbow Alliance.
Opinions? I’m torn- I enjoy news reporting, but personal opinion stuff is what I’ve made my journalistic reputation on thus far. Sucky decision.
Would it be correct to say you enjoy news reporting more, but are better at editorial writing? If so, it’s a tough call. I can think of arguments for pursuing both. My personal preference was for editorials, but because 1) I detested news writing, and 2) I liked the freedoms that were allowed in opinion writing.
Since you’ve already got a good Coming Out Month piece, why not pursue the op-ed writing, and see how things go? You may find there are aspects of editorial writing that you like a lot. And if not, well, at least you gave it a shot. It beats wondering how you would have fared as a op-ed writer.
What a strange policy. At my college paper, you could bounce around to whatever amused you. I did regular news, columns, music reviews, the horoscope.
I agree with Snoop. That seems rather limiting, at a time when you want to experience as much in the business as you can.
If I had to stick with one, I’d stick with straight reporting. The experience you get with the day-to-day grind, honing your reporting chops, will go a longer way toward shaping your future and how well you perform in your future employment.
If I were you, though, I’d talk to whoever is behind this policy, and see what can be done to do both.
(P.S. I’ve been a newspaper reporter and editor for about 8 years now, so I’m not talking out my butt. Well, no more than usual. 
)
The policy struck me as odd as well, but then again, I’m not sure what my college paper’s policy was on the subject. I joined as a columnist and never did a news story. Didn’t have to, since most writers didn’t want to do columns. Besides, objectivity isn’t something you want to encourage in your editorial writers. 
OTOH, given the slant some of the stories have had lately, I don’t think our paper is concerned with objectivity.
I’ve been in the business side of publishing for a long time and seen a LOT of reporters come and go. I’ve got to say that you should do what gives you the most opportunity to write.
There’s nothing more important to an aspiring writer than simply writing. Doesn’t really matter whether it’s op-ed or reporting. Just doing your research and putting the words in a row as often as you can will benefit you over the long haul.