The student news site of Linfield University

The Linfield Review

The student news site of Linfield University

The Linfield Review

The student news site of Linfield University

The Linfield Review

‘Paper’ provides realistic glimpse

Dominic Baez

Most students have no idea what goes on here in the Renshaw Hall communications lab in the wee hours of Friday mornings. Even fewer realize what goes on when members of the Review staff are nowhere near the lab.

But for those who would like to know, never fear: MTV’s “The Paper” has come to show everyone what it is like to work at a school newspaper, at least to some degree.

I was ecstatic to find out there was going to be a reality television show geared toward us newspaper freaks. I was excited to finally see a show that could portray the real-life experience of what the rest of the Review staff and I deal with on a regular basis. So can you blame me that I was super giddy and thrilled when the show premiered Monday night?

A chunk of the Review staff met outside of Renshaw’s lab, and we waited in eager anticipation. When the show started, I can say I was pleasantly surprised. While the show was a little ridiculous at times, it captured the essence of what student journalists deal with: drama, headaches and amazing times, especially when hiring time comes around. I remember my high school newspaper experience being the same way, even though our staff had only 15 people total.

The reason I am glad this show exists is it allows non-journalism students to finally see the bittersweet nightmare we love to deal with. I get asked questions like, “What do you do for the paper? Why are you so busy?”

Now you all get to know.

The show will help explain why student journalists are the way they are, minus Amanda, the newest editor in chief on the show. She is a little crazy.

However, the stress and anxiety are the same, especially because the Review is an award-winning paper—and the editors never let us forget it. We have to work much harder because we want to continue our tradition of excellence.

The Review is an important and time-consuming part of my life, and I am glad this program will show others the Review staff is not alone. While the Review doesn’t have a staff of 50 like The Circuit, the newspaper of the featured high school, we work just as hard to make sure the campus has a school newspaper to read every Friday afternoon.

The best part? Everyone on the staff has a counterpart in the show. I was able to connect with certain members of The Circuit’s staff because they act like staff members of the Review. Mind you, that isn’t always a good thing, but it helped me relate to the show.

Though this show is only a high-school version of what the rest of the staff and I go through every week, everyone should check it out Monday nights at 10:30 p.m. on MTV or at www.mtv.com. It will give you a brief yet enlightening glimpse of what it means to work for a school newspaper. Maybe then I won’t be asked why I like to ask intrusive questions at
inappropriate moments.

 

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