Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of being a reporter, uncovering truths, challenging authority, and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. As I write this final column, I reflect on the lessons I have learned, the experiences I never expected, and the responsibility we all share in shaping the future.

  Journalism, at its core, is not just about reporting facts. It is about understanding the power of framing, the weight of neutrality, and the ethical obligation to remain fair even when the terrain is uneven. As an editor, I have learned that neutrality, when wielded carelessly, can become a weapon that maintains the status quo. Presenting “both sides” of an issue when one side perpetuates harm is not a balance—it is complicity.

  I have reported on moments that demanded answers, transparency, and action. From the Glocal University 30 Project’s rushed integration plans to the hidden voices within our community, one thing has remained clear: actual progress cannot exist without honest communication. Institutions thrive not when they seek control but when they foster trust. And yet, at the end of November, the integration issue that caused confusion and disappointment among university members was still carried out with a lack of clarity and communication. The ongoing conflicts and absence of meaningful dialogue continue to raise concerns. As someone covering the story from the beginning, I cannot hide my persistent disappointment.

  This year, CBT and CUBS covered a rally calling for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol for the first time. I was involved in planning and reporting on-site. It was the first time I co-worked with CUBS to create video news. It was a different reporting form from traditional newspapers and gave me new experiences and lessons. Unofficially, the university president expressed concerns about this kind of reporting. However, as student newspapers, we are responsible for being aware of and reporting on social movements against the government. I have written several desk columns about the president and government throughout my tenure. Also, there has been much internal discussion about reporting on critical social issues that could be criticized as political, much more than what has been published in CBT. Politics is life itself. When members of society are not political, it is no longer society but a dictatorship.

  On Nov. 26, 92 professors and researchers at CBNU released a declaration of the state of affairs. It was long-awaited and essential. I wholeheartedly support the courage of those 92 individuals.

  At times, the weight of my role has been overwhelming. Many things that were not reported but that I heard during the reporting process gave me a sense of pressure and guilt that kept me up at night. Sometimes, I was consumed by the emptiness of being unable to solve the problem but only reporting it. It reminds me to think about a role, responsibility, and duty every moment. 

  However, I have also witnessed something they cannot take away—courage. Courage matters. It takes courage to challenge power, push back against narratives designed to obscure the truth and embrace discomfort in pursuing change. It takes courage to demand more—from our institutions, our leaders, and ourselves. However, this is not just about CBNU or the government. It is about all of us in all situations. How often do we remain silent when our voices are needed the most? How usually do we settle for less because it feels easier than speaking up? 

  The work is far from over, but I trust that it will be carried forward with courage, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of what is right. As I bid farewell, I ask only this: have the guts to say what needs to be said. Keep your eyes open. Our future depends on it.