Thewesterncarolinajournalist.com is the news web site of the Department of Communication at Western Carolina University and established in the fall of 2010.
The site is a part of the curriculum of the department, but day-to-day content and operation decisions are made by a student staff appointed by the faculty. Contact our editors and reporters.
The Western Carolina Journalist is not part of, or affiliated with, any student activity media. It works cooperatively with other media hosted by the Department of Communication including WWCU-FM ( 95.3).
Our Mission
The Western Carolina Journalist explores the developing and expanding world of online journalism without any traditions – except for the tradition of the practice of good journalism.
It is committed to providing news and information to the community and Western Carolina University; to be an outlet for expression of different opinions and views; and to be a place where people can debate, discuss problems, issues and seek solutions.
In carrying out its mission, WCJ is committed to maintaining the confidence of the public through presenting information that adhere to the truth, honesty and credibility in gathering, reporting and interpreting the information.
In addition to good journalism practices reporters of the Western Carolina Journalist, students at WCU, shall abide by the University Code of Conduct and to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.
Read our Guiding Principles.
The WCJ shall provide a professional learning experience and an environment in which journalism students and others may realize educational growth and success. In addition to displaying the work of students, the operation of the site itself gives students a chance to participate in an active news organization and to make decisions about content, display and personnel.
The staff of the Western Carolina Journalist
The Western Carolina Journalist welcomes all students to join the staff regardless of major.
Staff position appointments are made by the faculty advisor and approved by the Department of Communication faculty. Position appointments generally last for one semester.
Want to work with us please apply for a position.
The news site is designed to archive and display the work of students – both work done for classes and work completed as part of the student staff. Each person who contributes to the site as a reporter, editor or producer gets a profile page with biographical information and a list of links to the articles to which they have contributed.
Comments Policy
We believe in interacting with our audience and encourage your feedback concerning the information encountered on the site. However, we do request that your comments be relevant, respectful and truthful, in order to promote a healthy interactive environment. Postings containing personal attacks; profanity; nudity; attacks on race, creed, or religion; or illegal material are prohibited. We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to remove a comment, and also to revoke a user’s privilege to post content on the site. For more on our policy see here.
