What Journalism Means Here — A Letter From the Editor

Hi, friends!

When public voices—whether late-night hosts or national reporters—find themselves censored or silenced for speaking plainly about those in power, the role of independent student journalism becomes all the more vital. A campus newspaper is not a frivolous exercise in layout and deadlines: it is one of the final spaces where young writers can question authority, challenge orthodoxy, and tell the truth without corporate approval or political clearance.

At Caltech, where scientific rigor and intellectual freedom are our hallmarks, we ought to safeguard the same spirit in our journalism. The California Tech is more than just a chronicle of student life; it is a forum where ideas circulate freely, where the community holds itself accountable, and where the act of writing itself sharpens our collective critical faculties.

As media voices elsewhere are shut down for daring to call the government what it is, we should recall that a student newspaper is not only a training ground for future journalists, but also a living record of Caltech’s conscience. Its value lies precisely in its independence, its clarity, and its willingness to speak when others cannot. That is to say, when talk show hosts get yanked off the air over statements of fact, we must remember that free voices don’t survive on goodwill alone. They need space, and they need support.

Good thing the Tech is privately funded—by you, dear reader! Every article, every issue, every opinion that might not fit elsewhere exists because students here decided it was worth the ink. That’s the value of student journalism: it’s not beholden to ratings, sponsors, or political donors. It’s beholden to Caltech. To you. To the idea that on a campus built on equations and experiments, the freedom to speak, critique, and discourse comes hand in hand with the freedom to calculate.

So, upon picking up a copy of our humble newspaper, bear in mind—you’re holding something rare: journalism that answers only to its community. And in times like these, independence is no small thing.

With hope, gratitude, and solidarity, Damian R. Wilson

Editor-in-Chief