Letter From the New Editor in Chief

Dear fellow students, my name is Kyle Chmielowski and I am the new Editor in Chief of the Wright Times. I am a double major in journalism and theater and I joined the Wright Times last fall as a reporter in my first semester, having no journalism experience in a written publication.

I became interested in journalism because of my passion to write, my dedication to listening to others and my love of stories. 

  I grew up homeschooled so an opportunity for collaborative involvement sounded promising, especially in the realm of journalism where any niche interest such as politics, sports, the arts, pop culture and more could be covered. When you cover stories you realize that interesting things are happening all around you and that people have intriguing things to say. 

Even if some people don’t agree with you, it is still a human right for everyone to be able to tell their side of the story. I have a quote from Voltaire I have on my bedroom wall that reads, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” As journalists we have a responsibility to give people from various perspectives a chance to tell their story. 

I’ve been told by people within the journalism industry how the market is declining. Does that mean pursuing journalism is a waste of time? No, because the freedom of the press is a fundamental right that we shouldn’t take for granted. As student journalists it's our job to use that freedom to highlight diverse voices and report news objectively, to address issues facing students by being the watchdogs on campus to ensure accountability.

I attended the ACP Mega Workshop for college media over the summer in Minneapolis and I felt so inspired to see student journalists from across the country pursue a field that is essential to safeguarding democracy and keeping the public informed. In a country where misinformation proliferates and journalists can be demonized, it’s important that we set a good example of fairness, accuracy, and inclusion.

When I interviewed Welshly Arms singer Sam Getz for my Youtube channel Northwest Chicago Street Fest I asked him what the secret is to success. He said it is,“Believing that what you set out to do will mean something to somebody else.”  I hope what we do means something to you. Whether to inform or entertain, I hope you find value in our work.

We are always looking for ways to improve and recruiting new members so feel free to email me at kylechmielowskiwtn@gmail.com if you have a story idea, you would like to get involved, or you would like to leave your comments. You’ve come to the Wright place for news and we are eager to continue our coverage.

The New Editor in Chief Kyle Chmielowski.