On April 13, The Outlook staff was notified of a budget cut imposed by SGA which reduces our budget by 41.67%. The new proposed budget would virtually stop printing and distribution of the paper on campus.
The editors were asked about their reactions to this news that SGA President Brendan Sheehan called an “economic choice.”
One editor commented, “My initial reaction was absolute outrage, especially considering that the SGA President was formerly on the staff here at the paper last year. It made me really upset because if anyone knows how hard we work and the voice we bring to students, it’s Brendan Sheehan.”
Another editor saw this not as an economic choice, but rather a first amendment issue. “Hearing that our budget was cut, I immediately thought this was an act of censorship. This brings into question the fundamental right of the First Amendment of The Outlook.”
The editor continued, “I fully believe that this is in violation of our first amendment rights as students on this campus. An editorial and journalistic decision was made on our behalf without any conversation beforehand.”
Another editor was shocked to hear about the cut, “This paper needs a certain amount of money to print alone, and a budget cut of that magnitude will make The Outlook’s functionality near impossible.”
In 2020, the Center for Scholastic Journalism at Kent State found that 70 percent of school newspapers had a print edition with some even bringing print back after a hiatus.
Reading this, an editor responded, “Print journalism is not going away. Even if the industry is evolving to keep up with the fast past requirements that exist now with social media, you can always find print publications. I can think of more than ten print newspapers in New Jersey alone, many of which our Outlook alums go on to work for.”
Another editor agreed, “Honestly, I think that statistic just shows that people need journalism. As a society, we strive to remain aware and spread awareness to others, and journalism is our way of holding people accountable and taking action.”
“Print journalism is still prevalent and it should be. Trying to take that away is simply a malpractice,” one editor emphasized.
Many of our editors plan to pursue journalism as a career, many noting they are met with the sentiment that print is a ‘dying industry.’ One editor said, “I do intend to pursue journalism as a career after I graduate this year. I think the budget cut has been concerned for the integrity of journalism as a whole and not feeling valued in terms of my career path on this campus. It’s truly unnerving.”
One editor said, “I have heard it, and it honestly just motivates me to work harder for people. Journalism is an evolving industry, not a declining one.”
One editor reflected on The Outlook’s longstanding history at Monmouth, “It doesn’t feel right to me. The Outlook has been in print for almost 100 years. A fully digital format would be confusing for faculty and students and, in my opinion, could be harder to access.”
“Print journalism is absolutely needed for places like small towns and college campuses. How else are the people supposed to remain aware and have a voice?” one editor asked.
Another editor explained, “What once was reporting facts on the ground is now fighting for the truth to be heard in a sea of misinformation. What I’m trying to say is journalism is more important than ever.”
“What we do in this newsroom is so much more than just putting words on a page; it’s the experience that sets us apart from other job candidates and gives us the skills to thrive in the real world,” one editor added.
We would like to end on a sentiment and a message directed to those who made this devastating decision expressed by one of our former editors and alumnus Ms. Isabella Hanna, Class of 2023, “The Outlook is bigger than any contributor or graduating class. It is nearly a century of honest reporting; it is transparency and student power personified; it’s a home. It’s my home. It’s your voice. Don’t tear down my home — and don’t silence our voice.”