"The State" newspaper carries a title that is misleading, as this newspaper does not represent the people of South Carolina, but instead a small portion in and around the Columbia, SC area, including the University of South Carolina and its athletic programs.

Their inherent biased reporting, magnified recently with its wholly unprofessional and sensationalistic coverage of a rumored incident during (or was it before? the story keeps changing) the recent USC / Clemson football game, should not allow this publication to carry an entire state as its banner. As a matter of civic responsibility, this paper should return to an earlier name it once published under - "The Columbia Record". People new to the area, or those who view its name as some type of statewide endorsement, should not be subjected to this slant in coverage and reporting unknowingly as its current name implies.

As if exiling columnist and journalist Ron Morris several years ago at the whim of a college football coach wasn't enough, their recent actions perpetuating damaging stories based solely on innuendo against their hometown college team's rival in-state program can simply no longer be tolerated. There must be clarity as to who and what "The State" newspaper is, and renaming to "The Columbia Record" will more aptly put this newspaper in the category and geographic capacity of which it truly represents. It does not represent South Carolina. It represents only Columbia, and its title should reflect that.

I urge to you take the time to sign this petition for it to be forwarded to Bill Rogers, President of the SC Press Association, and the SC Governor's office.