To Whom Much Has Been Given
The California Assembly is voting on a bill aimed at protecting the freedom of speech of college newspapers.
Assembly Votes On Bill To Stop College Newspaper Censorship
Working at three higher education institutions, I've learned quickly to be extremely careful when working with the student newspaper. The key here is the 'student' in student newspaper. These are up and coming journalists who are learning their trade. Because of this, I don't know how many times stories are written out of context, don't have proper in depth research, are based on hearsay, and people are misquoted. Again, these are students and mistakes are to be expected. The policy I currently adopt is email interviews (which the reporters don't like), and I ask to see my quotes in context with the story ahead of time. I also advise the student leaders I work along side of to be careful with the newspapers because often they are quoted as representatives of the institution, when they are also, like the reporter, students.
Now, this legislation looks at protecting the rights of a college newspaper from censorship. The case it is addressing is an administrator asking to see the stories before they go to print. Again, I'm an advocate of free speech, but there is also a responsibility that should be placed on the speaker. The written word in a college newspaper can ignite a campus. Most of the time in a very healthy manner. But occasionally the student mistake can create havoc. Taking away the administrators ability to, in some cases, do the job of the administrator is taking away rights as well. Additionally, most of these collegiate papers are funded by the university! In the simplest terms the university is the editor in chief because they hold the check book. A bill that takes away this power is questionable at best.
What we need is a learning environment where the student journalists are not so proud to think that they will not make mistakes, and also administrators and advisors who are willing to work in conjunction with this learning environment. We don't need politicians sitting in cushy leather chairs making decisions crucial to the educational process.
Assembly Votes On Bill To Stop College Newspaper Censorship
Working at three higher education institutions, I've learned quickly to be extremely careful when working with the student newspaper. The key here is the 'student' in student newspaper. These are up and coming journalists who are learning their trade. Because of this, I don't know how many times stories are written out of context, don't have proper in depth research, are based on hearsay, and people are misquoted. Again, these are students and mistakes are to be expected. The policy I currently adopt is email interviews (which the reporters don't like), and I ask to see my quotes in context with the story ahead of time. I also advise the student leaders I work along side of to be careful with the newspapers because often they are quoted as representatives of the institution, when they are also, like the reporter, students.
Now, this legislation looks at protecting the rights of a college newspaper from censorship. The case it is addressing is an administrator asking to see the stories before they go to print. Again, I'm an advocate of free speech, but there is also a responsibility that should be placed on the speaker. The written word in a college newspaper can ignite a campus. Most of the time in a very healthy manner. But occasionally the student mistake can create havoc. Taking away the administrators ability to, in some cases, do the job of the administrator is taking away rights as well. Additionally, most of these collegiate papers are funded by the university! In the simplest terms the university is the editor in chief because they hold the check book. A bill that takes away this power is questionable at best.
What we need is a learning environment where the student journalists are not so proud to think that they will not make mistakes, and also administrators and advisors who are willing to work in conjunction with this learning environment. We don't need politicians sitting in cushy leather chairs making decisions crucial to the educational process.
posted by Caleb | 3:05 PM
4 Comments:
Rock,
I agree with what you're saying in that red pens shouldn't be thrown around rampantly, BUT, since the 'experts' aren't doing it, there are cases where a pen needs to be used. For instance we had a dui on campus and a sexual assault on campus that newspaper was trying to get a hold of. Rightly so info wasn't released, so through hearsay, they tried piecing things together, and stories came out. Discussions were held about professionalism, etc. and learning happened. This law takes away those 'discussions'. The 'to much has been given' line was to show that they need to live up to that line before 'getting more'...like this bill, which currently, across the country, or at least at the three schools I've been at, they aren't yet.
i will always have my opinions on the graphic :)
I don't agree, Michael. Having worked in the newspaper biz and in higher ed, I don't believe giving administrators editing power is the right thing to do. That does stifle free speech, and opens the door to censorship. In a perfect world, administrators would only intervene to protect students and aid in the learning process. But we all know that in the cutthroat world of marketing higher ed. institutions, administrators will do about anything to keep their sparkling reputation in order to keep those applications coming in and the donor money flowing. Besides, in a lot of institutions the student newspaper is funded by the student government, which in most cases a seperate fee to students beyond tuition. I say let students write what they will under that guidance of an advisor, but also make it clear to them the dangers of litigation should they cross the line.
Brian Cole
I don't agree, Michael. Having worked in the newspaper biz and in higher ed, I don't believe giving administrators editing power is the right thing to do. That does stifle free speech, and opens the door to censorship. In a perfect world, administrators would only intervene to protect students and aid in the learning process. But we all know that in the cutthroat world of marketing higher ed. institutions, administrators will do about anything to keep their sparkling reputation in order to keep those applications coming in and the donor money flowing. Besides, in a lot of institutions the student newspaper is funded by the student government, which in most cases a seperate fee to students beyond tuition. I say let students write what they will under that guidance of an advisor, but also make it clear to them the dangers of litigation should they cross the line.
Brian Cole
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