To the Editor:
Bravo to Paul Heintz '06 for reprimanding Carlos Mejia '08 of the Dartmouth Free Press. Meija's article ("Dean candidate names should not have been published," Feb. 26) was disappointing on many levels. Ironically, while the DFP's mission statement promises "sound journalism to inform and educate Dartmouth students," their managing editor certainly seems to be selective about the subjects that he thinks Dartmouth students should be "educated and informed" about. The public has every right to know what is going on behind closed doors, including the much-hallowed doors of Parkhust Hall.
According to the article that "outed" the candidates ("Names of Dean candidates surface," Feb. 22), the senior society Palaeopitus was invited to meet the candidates while they were on campus. Thomas Crady, an applicant from Grinnell College, even agreed to an interview with The Dartmouth. It does not seem like he is overly worried about "criticism and resentment from [his] current peers and colleagues," nor does it seem like Dartmouth is being extremely confidential with their proceedings. If other candidates are very concerned, maybe they should consider the Witness Protection Program if they don't get the job.
Investigative journalism is a rarity at Dartmouth. It is a breathe of fresh air that The D exercised its press freedoms and wrote about a process that most students may not already know about. Mejia urges The D to use more "journalistic restraint." I urge Mejia to remember the age-old expression that anyone in the press knows so well: Don't shoot the messenger!
