Vermont Cynic

Vermont Cynic. The Vermont Cynic is a University of Vermont-affiliated student newspaper that has been in publication since 1883, making it one of the oldest student-run newspapers in the United States. The newspaper is published weekly during the academic year and is distributed free of charge to University of Vermont students, faculty, and staff. The Vermont Cynic has a long history of covering local and national news, including events such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the September 11 attacks, with notable figures like Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela being covered in its pages.

● History

The Vermont Cynic was founded in 1883 by a group of University of Vermont students, including Henry Perkins, who would later become a prominent Vermont politician. The newspaper's early years were marked by a focus on literary and humorous content, with contributions from notable writers like Mark Twain and Robert Frost. Over the years, the Vermont Cynic has undergone several format changes, including the introduction of a tabloid format in the 1970s and the launch of a website in the 1990s. The newspaper has also covered significant events such as the Great Depression, World War II, and the Cold War, with notable figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin being mentioned in its pages. The Vermont Cynic has also had notable alumni, including Jody Williams, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Bernie Sanders, a United States Senator.

● Content

The Vermont Cynic features a wide range of content, including news, opinion pieces, arts and entertainment reviews, and sports coverage. The newspaper has a strong focus on local news, with coverage of University of Vermont events, Burlington, Vermont city council meetings, and Vermont state politics. The Vermont Cynic also features content from notable news agencies, including the Associated Press and Reuters. The newspaper's opinion section has featured contributions from notable writers and thinkers, including Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, and Cornel West. The Vermont Cynic has also covered significant events such as the Occupy Wall Street movement, the Arab Spring, and the Black Lives Matter movement, with notable figures like Barack Obama, Angela Davis, and Malala Yousafzai being mentioned in its pages.

● Impact

The Vermont Cynic has had a significant impact on the University of Vermont community, providing a platform for students to express their opinions and engage with local and national issues. The newspaper has also played a role in shaping the university's policies and procedures, with coverage of issues like tuition increases, campus safety, and diversity initiatives. The Vermont Cynic has been recognized for its coverage of significant events, including the Hurricane Irene and the Burlington, Vermont mayoral election. The newspaper has also been praised for its investigative reporting, including exposés on University of Vermont administrative practices and Vermont state government policies. Notable figures like Howard Dean, Patrick Leahy, and Peter Shumlin have been covered in the newspaper's pages.

● Controversies

The Vermont Cynic has been involved in several controversies over the years, including a First Amendment lawsuit against the University of Vermont in the 1990s. The newspaper has also faced criticism for its coverage of sensitive topics, including racism, sexism, and homophobia. In 2019, the Vermont Cynic faced backlash for publishing an opinion piece that was criticized for being transphobic. The newspaper has also been criticized for its handling of corrections and apologies, with some readers accusing the newspaper of being slow to acknowledge and correct errors. Notable figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kamala Harris, and Elizabeth Warren have been mentioned in the newspaper's coverage of these controversies.

● Notable_alumni

The Vermont Cynic has a long list of notable alumni, including Jody Williams, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and Bernie Sanders, a United States Senator. Other notable alumni include Madeleine Kunin, a former Governor of Vermont, and Peter Shumlin, a former Governor of Vermont. The newspaper's alumni have gone on to work at prominent news organizations, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and National Public Radio. Notable alumni have also worked in politics, including Patrick Leahy, a United States Senator, and Peter Welch, a United States Representative. The Vermont Cynic's alumni have also included notable figures like Ben Cohen, a co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, and Bill McKibben, a prominent environmental activist.

● Awards_and_recognition

The Vermont Cynic has won numerous awards for its coverage of local and national news, including the Pacemaker Award and the Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker Award. The newspaper has also been recognized for its investigative reporting, including a Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence Award. In 2019, the Vermont Cynic was named one of the top student newspapers in the country by the Princeton Review. The newspaper has also been praised by notable figures like Nicholas Kristof, a Pulitzer Prize winner, and Glenn Greenwald, a prominent journalist. The Vermont Cynic has also been recognized by organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

Category:Student newspapers