The GUIDON writes this statement to meet two objectives:
First, to clarify our rationale in writing the Inquiry article “Behind closed doors.”
Second, to acknowledge our mistakes while writing and editing the article.
There have been stories circulating about violations of dorm rules. We wrote the article to investigate these violations. We deemed the investigation necessary because the University Dorm is an Atenean institution.
In the process of writing the article, experiences with dorm violations were recounted and verified through research. Interviews with various sources were also conducted and data on the dorm’s history was gathered from the University Archives.
After the article was published, The GUIDON received feedback from some members of the dorm community.
To discuss the concerns of the Ateneo Resident Students Association (ARSA) and The GUIDON, representatives met last February 3. Points raised during the meeting include the following:
1. Lack of balance. In the article, ARSA Director Timothy Gabuna, two current dormers, one former dormer, and Associate Dean for Student Affairs Rene San Andres were interviewed. The article, however, failed to present interviews from a wider variety of sources such as members of the dorm council.
2. A quote was taken out of context. In the article, anonymous source “Louie” was quoted saying, “Nakaka-affect talaga [ang ingay] sa akin, pero tinitiis ko na lang,” referring to his own experience with particular people. The article unintentionally made the impression that he was referring to the atmosphere in the dorm in general.
3. Misrepresentation of dorm life. In The GUIDON’s interview with Louie, he gave a more nuanced account of dorm life than what was communicated by the article. Mostly negative comments on the dorm were used in the article, leaving out his positive comments. As mentioned previously, The GUIDON failed to interview more people who will confirm or deny Louie’s comments about the dorm. Dorm life was thus misrepresented and generalizations were made in some parts of the article.
4. Factual error. It was said in the article that there were dormers having sex in the balconies. What Louie said in his interview, however, was that these dormers could enter their partners’ rooms through the balconies.
The GUIDON sincerely apologizes for these errors and the unintended impressions they caused. The organization does not take these concerns lightly. The GUIDON is constantly trying its best to uphold the standards of excellent journalism for the benefit of the Ateneo community.
