Criticism best served with side of manners
Most people have suffered wrongs they wish could be righted. Be it a grade or a traffic ticket they thought wasn’t deserved, they typically want to set it straight.
And almost every example presents a right and wrong way to handle it. Granted, they all have intricacies that have to be taken into consideration, but ultimately, it boils down to the old adage: You can always attract more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.
With that in mind, we offer our fellow students a quick rundown of how to handle disputes that arise from errors in our publication, which unfortunately are part of the journalism industry and even more prevalent in a college setting.
First, try to empathize with the writer and editor. As hard as it may seem when you’re dealing with what is an obvious mistake in your eyes, there’s a good chance that those responsible didn’t do it on purpose and are likely going to want to correct the error as much as you do.
If you’re having a hard time placing yourself in the proverbial shoes of others, then at least calm down before you confront them. There’s nothing that inhibits productive interaction more than flinging F-bombs left and right. Humans are, for the most part, an instinctive species that get defensive when attacked. The key is to keep the channels of communication open because most people aren’t going to be convinced if they are tuning you out.
Also, when resolving your issue with the publication, don’t leave with a grudge in tow. Burning bridges is never a good idea, and you never know how you may end up needing the other party in the future. This is especially true for organizations and athletes, but not limited to people who are usually in the public light.
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