Why We Exist

The Reed Inquirer exists to report the news of Reed College without fear or favor.

The Reed Inquirer exists because the editorial board of the Reed College Quest elected in the Fall Semester of 2023 has neglected standard journalistic practice. They have, on at least one occasion, made a story less accurate, and have repeatedly failed to disclose conflicts of interest. More broadly they have failed to commit to continue the previous board’s policy of reporters’ right of review. Reporters can no longer be certain that what they have written is what will be published. In at least two cases, Quest reporters have been surprised to find in print words they did not write.

The Reed Inquirer exists to print the news and nothing else. No games, no charts, no entertainment columns, no horoscopes, no Immorality Quotient, no Quethicist. These things distract from the real responsibility of a newspaper.

This is The Reed Inquirer. Let’s get to work.

Who We Are

Declan Bradley is former reporter and editor of the Reed College Quest and six-time nationally award-winning student journalist. He cut his teeth reporting Senate Beat his first year at Reed and spent the next year editing the paper. His specialty is data journalism and investigative reporting. Contact him on Signal at @declanrjb.42.

Sam King is a history major in his second semester at Reed. His work has been praised by reporters from the Associated Press and The Oregonian. He’s covered bomb threats, student arrests, and administrative mismanagement. Previously, he wrote for the Quest. Send him tips at sking@reed.edu.

Policies

1. Anonymity: Anonymity will be granted to sources if they would otherwise suffer a credible risk of immediate harm. No source will ever have their name printed without their explicit permission.
2. Contributors: Other contributors to the Inquirer are welcome, provided they agree to these policies and are members of the Reed community (students, staff, or faculty).
3. Letters to the Editors will be published if they:
   • Pertain in some way to the Reed community.
   • Are signed.
   • Contain no defamatory material or personal attacks.
4. Editors: Currently the Inquirer is edited by Sam King and Declan Bradley. If and when more editors become necessary, or should current editors need to be replaced, detailed policy will be written to govern their appointment.

Staff