by Rebecca Campbell
Beginning last session, the journalists of Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature began to make a name for themselves. From random trips to a double decker coffee shop to the constant runs to Starbucks for the members of the Board of Directors, the journalists were able to make session fun.
Although journalism was supposed to be a competition, it never felt like that. We all bonded together in order to became a journalism “famOILy.” Being able to sit above both branches of the government and having access to the Moot Court competition, gives the journalists a whole new perspective on what OIL does and what it is about.
Although journalism is often the forgotten branch of OIL, the stories written by journalists are in depth, relevant, and humorous. Our stories are here to help put forth what other delegates are thinking and saying. We interview the people who we believe are the movers and shakers of the organization or who are the potential movers and shakers. The House may be the voice of the people and the Senate the mind of the people, but the journalists are the opinions of the people.
When we are not on the chase for the next story, us journalists are often times difficult to find. We will occasionally pop up in the House or Senate to see if anything interesting is going on, but other than that we’re in the Press Box. Or, alternatively we are making a Starbucks run. Very early on last session, the journalists learned that the Board of Directors appreciate a good of coffee.
Journalists use the privilege of the press pass in order to come and go as we please. But, we also use it in order to do journalistic inquiries. We use it in order to get the stories that we feel the delegates will care about. Journalists are here to help spread the word about important things that are occurring in the organizations, like the elections. We do more than just get coffee; it’s just that getting coffee also gets us the better stories. So, please be on the lookout for a journalist who wants to buy you coffee.