In past years, the Oregon Daily Emerald has had a somewhat strained relationship with the University’s Office of Media Relations. After the difficulties we faced were presented to that office last year, the University has taken a positive step forward and made alterations to their information policies. For that, we thank them.
Communications between that office and this newspaper were usually timely within a few hours, but the office had a policy that was a tremendous roadblock to reporting the news: No office or person employed by the University was to give an interview without having it first be approved by the Office of Media Relations.
Because of this delay and the extra hoop to jump through in order to gain access to sources and information, hitting our 3 p.m. news deadline was made difficult, and the Emerald was often simply shut-off from information.
After discussion late last year with the Office of Media Relations, the University has decided to change it, and now allows University employees to give interviews without checking in with Media Relations. The University has fixed a problem that was hindering its function as a transparent, public institution, and we hope that the University continues to address and evaluate the effectiveness of its policies in the future.