In an institution as long standing as the News, the public editor’s role is remarkably new — only dating back to 2020. Over its brief lifespan, the role’s external responsibilities have largely remained undefined, with my predecessors’ only consistent output being an introductory column like this one. 

My vision for the job is quite simple. I want to be an editor working for you, the reader. 

The reality today is that the News — with its unparalleled reach and monopoly on daily coverage of Yale — is an essential institution on campus. The reporters and editors here have a platform to help shape the discussions we have about life at Yale and in New Haven. We have a responsibility to challenge the powerful, whether they are shady mega-landlords or an increasingly aloof and unresponsive administration. 

Far too often, the decisions the News makes — what we cover, who we source, when we add opposing viewpoints, what context we choose to include or omit — are inaccessible for the vast majority of readers who are not immersed in the inner workings of this paper and the larger world of journalism. 

This issue of access — and the need for an active public editor — became obvious to me last year, as the News faced a variety of criticisms from across the ideological spectrum for our coverage of Yale and New Haven’s reactions to the war in Gaza. Some of the critiques I found compelling; others not as much. But many deserved to be heard and responded to in the pages of the News. 

Externally, I will be writing a regular column on the News’ policies and coverage choices to examine the thinking of this paper’s editors and also offer my commentary on their decisions. Internally, I will work with editor-in-chief Tristan Hernandez to train every new reporter on standard journalistic ethics. 

This role was intentionally made independent of the rest of the News’ Managing Board and I have no interest in serving as a mouthpiece for the choices of the paper’s management. When our coverage is strong and I feel like the decisions made are sound, I will commend them. But I will not shy away from criticizing coverage or decision-making processes that fall short of the standards our readers deserve. 

I do this because I have spent hundreds of hours over the last few years trying to make the News the best version of itself. I’ve covered both housing and homelessness and cops and courts on the City Desk, spent a year running our morning newsletter as an Audience Editor and served as last year’s City Editor. I believe that the News is at its best when it captures the diversity of life and experience at Yale and in New Haven and when it pushes for a more just world. 

A frustrating reality of the News is that student journalism is hard. Running daily coverage is a nonstop grind with a new deadline every night and a constant demand for more stories. The paper could always use more writers, photographers, podcasters and illustrators; many of its deficits in coverage can be traced to a lack of contributors.

But the challenges of student journalism do not exempt it from reproach. Some of the hardest working, most caring and integrity-driven people I know are working as editors and reporters at the News this year and I hope they run the best paper they can. I will try to fulfill my responsibility by providing an honest accounting of their work.

The last point that I want to make is the most important. None of this will work without you, the public, contributing. To platform reader complaints and answer reader questions, I need you to send me your thoughts. I will respond to everything I can; if you’re in New Haven, I’m happy to meet for coffee or a meal. This column will only work with your engagement. 

Please send me your questions, complaints, comments, praise and anything else at public@yaledailynews.com.