The writers and editors of The Daily Pennsylvanian must often strike a difficult balance between getting the scoop on a breaking news story and taking the time to get the facts right.
On Tuesday, IvyGate, the "Ivy League blog," received a tip - seemingly sent from SPEC - claiming that Limp Bizkit was chosen to headline this year's Spring Fling Concert. One of its editors quickly posted the exciting news online, albeit with a healthy dose of skepticism.
According to SPEC President Max Cancre, the tip was just an elaborate hoax - Fred Durst and company definitely are not coming to Penn.
It was the second time this year that IvyGate published something later found to be false. Last month, it ran a similar, now-debunked story reporting the selection of Emeril Lagasse for commencement speaker.
The rumors caused by both stories, while amusing and harmless, rapidly spread throughout campus. Because of this, it is important that the DP, as Penn's paper of record, strive to be a source of information readers can count on. While we receive the same tips IvyGate does, we would rather be late than be wrong. And that often means sitting on a story until we have confirmation.
But based on the feedback we received at our Open Forum event this week, readers have generally been happy with our work so far this semester. Our major areas of coverage have included the 2008 presidential elections, financial aid and sustainability.
These topics will continue to be central in the months ahead. As always, please send us your questions, concerns and suggestions.
David Lei is a Wharton sophomore from Brooklyn, N.Y. and executive editor of The Daily Pennsylvanian. His e-mail is lei@dailypennsylvanian.com.
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