We at The Guilfordian hold ourselves to a high standard of journalistic integrity and honesty. We are dedicated to reporting on the truth and to holding our leaders accountable. As our current presidential administration blatantly lies and attempts to change factual narratives, we are committed to reporting with accuracy.

While our highest level of politicians, including President Trump, often dismiss news organizations as “fake news” and strive to discredit any reporting that criticizes them, we cannot be intimidated. When President Trump spins falsehoods about himself and his cabinet, including potential Russian collusion, we must call them out. We cannot accept a culture of lies as normal, but diligently continue to promote honesty not only in our reporting, but in our discussions of politics.

Both on a large and small scale, The Guilfordian works to uncover the truth. We report on issues at Guilford based in facts, even if those do not reflect well on the College. When we write about Title IX or changes in the student handbook, our goal is to inform students, not to function as a propaganda machine for marketing. We want to tell the stories students deserve to hear and know about. Similarly, national news organizations should be committed to telling the stories the public deserves to hear, even if it means an attack by the president.

Even as it becomes a challenge, and newspapers and news sites show a fondness for clickbait and misleading headlines, we will function under the principle that we, as a newspaper, are a public service. Our job is to present the news and the facts to the readers. If our politicians lie, we will not take their statements blindly as truth, but examine the evidence. Journalists need to fact check to maintain trust between the reader and the writer.

Truth is not a compromise. Truth is not something that one should alter to fit an agenda. If the truth, or if a dedication to the truth is under attack, then we will continue to fight against any pressure to diminish our commitment to facts. The Guilfordian is, and will remain, diligent in our efforts to provide factual, objective journalism.

Reflecting Guilford College’s core Quaker values, the topics and content of Staff Editorials are chosen through consensus of all 14 editors and one faculty adviser of The Guilfordian’s Editorial Board.