Dear Reader,
Thank you for taking the time to read Capstone Free Press. My name is Ginger Morrow, CFP’s first Editor-in-Chief.
CFP came about through a partnership with Intercollegiate Studies Institute. ISI’s mission is to “inspire college students to discover, embrace, and advance the principles and virtues that make America free and prosperous,” and they execute that mission by connecting aspiring conservative journalists with existing news outlets or helping such students start their own. The University of Alabama’s chapter of ISI began in 2021, and shortly thereafter, ISI leadership approached us with the opportunity to start a conservative student newspaper on our campus–the only one of its kind in the state.
Capstone Free Press’s mission is “to provide conservative students at the University of Alabama both an independent source of news which reports on prominent issues through a conservative lens and an outlet through which they may submit their own opinions for publication without fear of political discrimination.” While we identify as a right-of-center publication and that identifier influences much of what we plan to do, that does not mean we will exclusively praise right-of-center politicians, policies, or institutions. We hope, quite simply, to bring to you news or opinion works conservatives, college students, and Alabamians will find interesting or relevant. Of course, every conservative has a unique set of values, and there is vast disagreement within our side of the political spectrum. We will strive to report news fairly, accurately, and, where possible, with sources included.
The second half of our mission is student-focused. Conservative students on the UA campus do not have a friendly platform to share their opinions or a channel through which their opinions can be published for mostly fellow conservative students to read. CFP hopes to be that platform. Additionally, having officially published works of writing, both opinion and news, is valuable for any student. I know seeing my name in print for the first time next to an article I wrote was an experience I will never forget. Outspoken conservatives have fewer and fewer places to publish without fear of political discrimination, as our mission statement says, and we hope to bridge the gap.
Our staff members come from many different backgrounds, have different majors, and hold individual political beliefs. Several have no experience writing news, and we are providing them resources and personal guidance to improve those skills. We plan to increase our staff and publish works from non-staff guest writers, politicians, and conservative thought leaders on the UA campus and elsewhere. Eventually, we hope to publish print editions through sponsorships from individuals and businesses. Most of all, we hope to become your go-to place for University of Alabama, state of Alabama, and political news and opinions.
Thank you very much for your support as we embark on this exciting new project.
Appreciatively,
Ginger Morrow
