Many student journalists are assiduous and objective fact-gatherers, serving the greek community well with thoughtful stories highlighting subtle or unpopular issues. Ally Champagne, of the Louisiana State University Tiger Weekly, does not exemplify this storied tradition. Her article today is titled simply "Pi Kappa Phi," and subtitled "leaders by choice," a designation not so much informative as jingoistic. At least it serves as a warning to those who proceed.
The 495-word article is an unmitigated profusion of puffery in favor of the titular Pi Kappa Phi. It begins by walking the reader down a figurative and literal primrose path, to the threshhold of the Pi Kapp house: "Who would have thought," gushes Ms Champagne, "that a house with such a manicured garden would end up being a fraternity house?" The story only trends downhill from there, quoting brothers' testimonials to their excitement at joining and pride at belonging; the fraternity's boasts of its above-average scholasticism (GPA: 2.91, or B/B- average); and their bold assertion that the house "owns rush week" with an average of thirty men. At least these take the form of sourced quotations, so Ms Champagne might be deplored only for soliciting glowing pabulum.
But Ms Champagne then veers farther into the murk of editorial aggrandizement, declaring abruptly that "Pi Kapp is a unique and praised fraternity." As evidence, she cites the chapter's blatantly untrue claim to have the only national philanthropy; their capture of what must be the supremely prestigious title of "Best Homecoming Lawn Decoration" in 2007; and plaudits for "Best Male Performance" in some sort of ill-defined musical competition. (Incidentally, the fund-raising event for their philanthropy? Skeet-shooting. Gotta give them points for originality.)
Ms Champagne rounds out the piece by reassuring the reader, who by now might be overawed by the sheer enormity
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4 comments:
while not objective, niether is this blog post.
this girl probably just gets paid to write about frats at her college.
its not a big deal
wow you really had time to put that kind of energy into ragging on a simple article that no one probably read? good luck with life
Just like the first commenter said, while her article may not have been objective, neither is your blog post. It seems as if you subjectively dislike the Fraternity just as much as she subjectively favors it. Shame on you.
Also, can I get a Nu Phi? ΠΚΦ for life.
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