Letter from the Editor
Since its 1967 introduction, Juris Magazine has been a fundamental outlet for law students to explore their passions and interest in the law without the constraints of formal legal writing. It has given students the ability to investigate issues that are currently impacting the world, instead of esoteric and erudite legal conflicts. Journalism allows students to address the readers about topics that concern the public.
Journalism is currently in a state of flux. The numerous existential risks that threaten humanity need their stories told. Yet we have stretched the definition of journalism to a point where we have to question every article we read. Yellow journalism is abundant. On the Internet, we are assailed with news, real and false, and as a result of the numbers and varying biases we distrust many sources and zealously follow the outlets that share our beliefs.
There are many fingers being pointed at the numerous causes. Our 24-hour news cycle, for example, has moved from dissecting sound bites to vivisecting live news. Computers, smartphones and the Internet have given us the ability to be in tune with everything going on in the world while we live our private lives. We choose our social circles on social media, and the algorithm feeds us the information we subscribe to and nothing else. Tribalism and nationalism are on the rise in countries across the globe. Citizens are losing the ability to see eye to eye. We have become victims of our own naiveté.
News should not be divisive. News should be informative. News should be an objective look at how the law defines and defends constitutional rights, like the Second Amendment. News should keep the public abreast of deceitful and harmful practices perpetrated by large corporations that hold peoples lives in their hands. News should convey both sides of the arguments when we are faced with tough decisions like raising the minimum wage. News should investigate what is trending in popular culture, like intellectual property disputes in the fashion world.
Since its 1967 introduction, Juris Magazine has been a reliable legal news source. The staff writers and executive board perform their duties with unparalleled integrity and due diligence. We investigate how issues impact the law and how the law impacts issues. Duquesne students, alumni, and family have been faithful readers of Juris Magazine and blog. We don’t want to let our readers down. Thanks for reading. We hope you enjoy.
Cheers,
P. Michael Jones
P. Michael Jones, a 2017 J.D. candidate, is the editor-in-chief of Juris and treasurer of the Duquesne Intellectual Property Law Association. He has written at length about liquor law in the United States and Pennsylvania, and works to ensure the availability of medical marijuana for Pennsylvania residents. He is interested in pursuing a career in policy in either field. He can be reached at jonesp1@duq.edu or jurisduqlaw@gmail.com.
