College Newspaper Editor Wins Ethics Award After Investigating University President
The 2008 Payne Awards for Ethics will recognize Ashley Gough, editor of a college newspaper in Massachusetts, for her investigation into missing newspapers following an unflattering article about the university's president.
Eugene, Ore. -- May 1, 2008
The University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication has chosen its winners for the 2008 Payne Awards for Ethics. Ashley Gough, editor of The Mount Observer for Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, Mass., won the honor for the Collegiate Media category.
Gough's recognition comes from her "courageous, responsible and thorough" investigation into the disappearance of newspapers that contained a critical article about the university's president, Daniel Asquino.
Gough broke the full story after interviewing both Asquino and the chief of police, producing an article and an editorial on the scandal. Police found security camera footage that showed Asquino removing newspapers from stands. Due to Gough's extensive reporting, local authorities determined that they didn't need further investigation.
Gough started a public discussion on the issue. Later, she created a First Amendment forum at her school to ensure freedom of speech.
The ceremony honoring Ashley Gough will be held on May 8 in the Papé Room of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. The ceremony begins at 10 a.m.
MULTIMEDIA ELEMENTS
QUOTES
Quotes attributable to Ashley Gough, editor of The Mount Observer
"It was the first real thing I had to do as editor of the paper... I wanted to do it right and not be biased in my reporting because I was a part of the story, but I wanted to be an objective reporter."
"I see it as very exciting and an experience I’m really going to take advantage of."
Quote attributable to Tim Gleason, Edwin L. Artzt Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication
"The criteria of the Payne Award isn’t simply about doing good journalism or even making the right ethical decision. It is about doing good journalism and making the right decision in the face of extreme pressure."
ABOUT THE PAYNE AWARDS
Ancil Payne established the Payne Awards for Ethics at the School of Journalism and Communication in 1999 to "honor the journalist of integrity and character who reports with insight and clarity in the face of political or economic pressures and to reward performance that inspires public trust in the media."
RELATED LINKS
2008 Payne Awards for Ethics
Home page for the Payne Awards
School of Journalism and Communication
Home page for the SOJC at the University of Oregon
Student Wins Award for Scandal Coverage
Newspaper coverage of Ashley Gough
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Zanne Miller (Spokesperson)
School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon
1275 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1275
541.346.3738 (office)
541.598.4018 (cell)
Email: zanne@uoregon.edu
Web site: http://jcomm.uoregon.edu/
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