The Georgetown Voice is a student-run newsmagazine and one of Georgetown's leading campus publications. Founded in 1969, the Voice sought to provide coverage and commentary on off-campus events, which The Hoya refused to do at the time1. Today, the Voice is usually considered the more liberal of the two publications.
History
Steve Pisinski (CAS '71), then a writer for The Hoya, grew disillusioned with that publication's refusal to cover off-campus events and decided to launch a new publication2. Pisinski found a strong supporter in Fr. Raymond Schroth, S.J., who helped ensure funding for the Voice3. The Voice published its first issue on March 4, 1969, pledging to "present and analyze national and local issues of concern to the student"4.
In November 1970, The Hoya's board unanimously passed a measure calling for a merger with the Voice, arguing that the ideological differences that led to the Voice's founding had since been resolved. However, the Voice rejected the merger offer in a November 17 editorial, citing a need for multiple voices in the campus media environment5.
The Voice adopted its current news magazine format in 19726 and became a campus mainstay, though it occasionally encountered financial challenges along with other clubs. A 1974 attempt to incorporate and establish its independence from the University failed after the Student Senate refused to sign off7. In 1982, the Voice struggled to raise sufficient advertising revenue and faced a nearly $8700 deficit8. In response, the publication switched to a biweekly format to cut costs9. Today, the Voice publishes a biweekly print issue and regularly posts additional content on its site10.
Between 2006 to 2015, the Voice published a daily blog called Vox Populi, providing daily updates about DC-news, campus drama, and sports recaps.
Content
The Voice's news and features sections focus on reporting and longer-form journalism. The Voice also features a range of sports coverage, including both university and professional teams. The Leisure section features commentary on music, movies, and other forms of media. The opinion section consists of Voices, which features opinion pieces from various perspectives, and the Editorial Board, which analyzes on- and off-campus issues from a progressive viewpoint11.
The Voice's digital archives of past publications can be accessed here.
- 1Hamilton, Caroline and Roman Peregrino. "Volume 1 Issue 1: The First Years of The Georgetown Voice." The Georgetown Voice. 3 April 2019.
- 2Hamilton, Caroline and Roman Peregrino. "Volume 1 Issue 1: The First Years of The Georgetown Voice." The Georgetown Voice. 3 April 2019.
- 3Hamilton, Caroline and Roman Peregrino. "Volume 1 Issue 1: The First Years of The Georgetown Voice." The Georgetown Voice. 3 April 2019.
- 4Hamilton, Caroline and Roman Peregrino. "Volume 1 Issue 1: The First Years of The Georgetown Voice." The Georgetown Voice. 3 April 2019.
- 5Hamilton, Caroline and Roman Peregrino. "Volume 1 Issue 1: The First Years of The Georgetown Voice." The Georgetown Voice. 3 April 2019.
- 6Reagan, John. "Money Troubles Not New To Voice." The Hoya. 4 February 1983.
- 7Hargaden, Anne. "Senate Postpones Decision On Voice Independence Bid." The Hoya. 25 October, 1974.
- 8Latham, Bill. "Editors Fight To Save The Georgetown Voice." The Hoya. 4 February 1983.
- 9Latham, Bill. "Editors Fight To Save The Georgetown Voice." The Hoya. 4 February 1983.
- 10The Georgetown Voice, About the Voice. https://georgetownvoice.com/about-the-voice/.
- 11The Georgetown Voice, About the Voice. https://georgetownvoice.com/about-the-voice/.
