MULTIMEDIA #2

Natalie Sandifer
April 28, 2011
Student Writers at the Daily Mississippian

Students at the University of Mississippi are given opportunities each semester to write for the Daily Mississippi. The Daily Mississippian is a newspaper on the campus that targets a student and faculty based audience. The DM will touch on various topics from opinion pieces to current events to sports to music and fashion. Junior writer Andy Dickson has served as a writer for the DM for a year and spends his time developing at least three stories each week.
“I write opinion and sports. I’ve been given as much room to write about what I want to,” said Dickson when asked what he enjoys writing about.
While the DM is a great opportunity for aspiring journalists such as Dickson, it’s not always easy. The DM online provides students to leave feedback for the writers whether it’s positive or negative.
“You’re always going to get people on one side that agree with you and people on the other side that don’t agree with you. My target audience is the people I’m trying to sway, the people on the fence,” said Dickson.
For one of his first pieces, Dickson chose to write an article on the issue of a new mascot. An open-minded Dickson praised the new vote for the Rebel Black Bear over the old mascot, Colonial Reb. In his rant, Dickson encouraged change on campus leaving some readers outraged, claiming that our school was built on tradition and Dickson should recognize that. At the time, Dickson had just started writing for the DM, but chose not to let the negative comments get him down.
“When I get feedback I don’t pay too much attention to what people say on the Internet, but I do pay attention to what people say to my face and I don’t get that very often,” said Dickson.
Students not only gain experience, but also a salary. Writers such as Dickson are expected to come up with three articles weekly and are paid about $30 for each one. While some students prefer to be regular writers, others can simply submit their stories when they find the time. Junior student Meridith Elder chooses to write freelance for the DM and has released one successful article, thus far.
“I like writing for the DM because it will look great on my resume and it’s also great experience. With any job, you are always subjected to judgment based on the work that you do, that’s part of it,” said Elder.
If you are a student interested in the field of journalism and would like to gain experience and exposure by writing for the Daily Mississippian please contact thedmonline.com or the DM offices at the Student Media Center on campus.