To our readers,
I bet you’re reading this message online.
Even though this letter is meant to let our readers know about a change in The Argonaut’s print schedule, the majority of you are going to see this message on uiargonaut.com, or on our Facebook page.
That’s just the trend in media these days. New technology brings journalism to readers in a lot of different ways. The Argonaut staff strives to keep up with these changes, while doing our best to serve the University of Idaho and the surrounding community as the voice of the Vandals.
Technology-driven journalism means reporters are covering stories faster, as they happen, providing you with live videos and more frequent updates. It’s also led to a nationwide movement at student and professional publications alike to re-evaluate print editions.
The Argonaut has been delivered on campus and across the Palouse twice a week for decades. As the expectations of our readers and advertisers change, that model is no longer sustainable. This semester, The Argonaut will begin publishing a print version just once a week: You’ll find us on the streets every Tuesday.
You’ll be seeing fewer Argonauts on the newspaper stands, but by no means will you be seeing less of the high-quality journalism and timely reporting you expect from us. You’ll just find it in a different place.
This was a tough call, but is not only fiscally responsible, but also reflects the state of modern newsrooms. The Argonaut’s primary purpose is educating future journalists in a setting that reflects real-world situations. Our student journalists will not work less just because we go to print half as often. It’s likely they’ll actually work more.
That’s the reality of the digital-first mindset required among modern, mobile journalists. Many of our stories and photos will appear online at www.uiargonaut.com and on social media before they reach the printed page. You’ll see us doing more videos, more livestreams and more chats.
Longer, more in-depth feature stories will serve as the meat of the print edition. There, you will find reporting on issues that matter to our constituents, as well as previews of arts and athletic events as well as profiles of your fellow students.
We thank you for your support as we continue to educate the next generations of journalism professionals and prepare them for life after graduation. We strive for excellence in reporting the news of the university and community to you.
And whether you read that news online or in print, you can trust that it comes from Vandals pursuing the highest standards of journalism.
Thank you,
T.J. Tranchell
Interim Student Media Adviser
Note: Due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday, our next paper will be in the stands on Wednesday. After that, you will be able to find us every Tuesday.e