By: Hayden Kobza: Editor-in-Chief
Since 2005, over 2,500 newspapers have been closed across the United States, resulting in over 250,000 jobs lost, according to Courthouse News Service. Vital services such as election coverage, fact-checking misinformation, and exposing corruption have been lost, resulting in communities that have no one to tell their stories.
Experts call these regions ‘news deserts’ (areas with no news), but I prefer to call them ‘news vacuums,’ because there is no one qualified to cover the area, and building the infrastructure to break the vacuum can be almost impossible.
News vacuums are dangerous because fragmented versions of the truth can filter through, which can lead to long-term institutional harm and create systemic problems if left untreated.
For instance, during the mid-20th century, the Southern Accent fell into a news vacuum. Civil rights coverage was almost never reported. For instance, in a 1952 article, issues such as Jim Crow and the Ku Klux Klan were quoted from one department head, H. E. Westermeyer, as “largely rumors.” Additionally, the reporting placed little emphasis on the diversity of sources and even failed to report on race issues across campus.
As the decades have rolled past, the Accent has become more aware of its blinders, and today, as the Editor-in-Chief, I am officially apologizing to all current and former alumni, students and employees who were not given their voice in the “Student Voice Since 1929.” We must recognize our past so this publication can continue breaking down the news vacuum in Collegedale.
Two years ago, when I first started working at the Accent under former Editor-in-Chief Amanda Blake, one of her goals was community coverage. I was the Collegedale Editor, collaborating with two reporters, and every two weeks, there was a one-page special insert with articles on topics from taxation to police awards.
This year, we have expanded the paper to include that special insert every week, an accomplishment that I am very proud of. Another feat that I am happy to share is we have reached over 1 million online viewers overall in our coverage, breaking publication records exponentially.
There were so many restless nights because my team and I stayed up late and sometimes early into the morning to bring you trustworthy articles. At times we made mistakes, and that’s why I chose for us to have a corrections box to be as transparent as possible.
Democracy dies without journalism, for there is no one to fill the news vacuum. While this publication may be small, we have strived to shine a light on all issues.
Recognition of all those who supported the Accent
Behind the scenes is a dedicated group of students who work in addition to their schooling, sacrificing their time and energy to our paper each week. There were so many times when I felt so strained, and all the staff members helped alleviate the stress and pressure as we were all in the same boat.
At the beginning of the school year, there were so many breaking news stories before our official publication, that most of my top editorial staff had to write over 4 articles each to keep up with all the current events. Chloe Smith, Eliana Morales, Kyla Wetmore and I worked day and night to bring those breaking news stories to life.
Nyah Jackson, by far, has shown the most dedication to the craft of journalism by being the only consistent layout designer building the paper you read each week. Additionally, by our side late into the night was Wetmore, who was only supposed to help on occasion but kept going, producing investigations into human trafficking arrests in Collegedale and human-interest pieces.
To everyone who has worked for me this year, your contribution is not unseen, and I thank you for all the details that only the staff will know.
To our readers, thank you for your continued support in our student publication; without you, there would be no newspaper.
To my parents, who have always allowed me to dream big, I love you so much, and I hope that I have made you proud by following the truth no matter the circumstances. I remember when I was little, and you both had told me the world was my oyster. I am so glad you gave me the gift of life. I will always be grateful for everything you have provided to me. As we always say: “Thank you in advance.”
To, Professor Alva Johnson, you saw my potential three years ago when I was a freshman. I cannot thank you enough for pushing me and putting up with my antics, as we had many “discussions” (arguments) about almost everything related to the paper. I have always dreamed of having a mentor who is by my side, helping me along the way and making me grow. Without your leadership, I would never have become the Accent Editor, and you have directly helped me find my calling in life. I am so privileged and honored to be part of your family, and I will not let you down in my future endeavors.
Chloe Smith will be next year’s Editor-in-Chief, and I have firsthand seen her skills develop in the classes we shared and this year as news editor. I am so excited to see all the things that you will do next year. Remember, one issue at a time.
With this, I pass the torch to continue the legacy of this great paper.
Best regards,
Hayden Kobza
