Censorship: the idiot's route
The Voice of the Observer
Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: Observations
A newspaper is the only place, at least on a college campus, where an eclectic number of voices can gather together to express themselves and share their opinions with the academic and social community.
The newspaper is the place where hard work and dedication manifest themselves in forms of inspiration. So why is it then, that various outlets attempt to censor student papers in the first place?
Censorship, defined as the "suppression of words, images, or ideas that are offensive" is unconstitutional even on a college campus.
According to the Student Press Law Center, "student officials cannot censor or confiscate a publication, withdraw or reduce its funding, withhold student activities fees, prohibit lawful advertising, "stack" a student media board, discipline staff writers or take any other action that is motivated by an attempt to control or manipulate past or future content."
In addition, student officials cannot, "punish a paper's staff or advisor or withdraw a publication's funds for content based reasons."
Censorship limits the expression and creativity of individuals. When a voice is silenced, individuality and independent thinking are lost. Being in college is not just about adhering to the rules, but rather breaking free of predisposed boundaries and creating your own.
Because they work with, and for, the student body on a daily basis, administrators should be the first to support a college newspaper, even when what the newspaper prints does not shed favorable light on them. Part of being a good journalist is having the ability to look at situations, events, and people with an objective eye, meaning that we cover every side of a story.
As stated by Senator Joe McDermott, "it is important to not only educate our students, but to trust them and empower them with the rights and responsibilities that are entrusted to them in our Constitution."
Administrators, of any college community, must trust their students with the power of expression and take, with grace and understanding, the consequences that come with delegating that power, even if delegating that power means that the administration will now be held accountable for its actions.
If you have a problem with the paper, criticize the hell out of us. But if you're going to attempt to censor us, don't hold your breath.
-Allison Baldwin is Opinions Editor of The Observer
The newspaper is the place where hard work and dedication manifest themselves in forms of inspiration. So why is it then, that various outlets attempt to censor student papers in the first place?
Censorship, defined as the "suppression of words, images, or ideas that are offensive" is unconstitutional even on a college campus.
According to the Student Press Law Center, "student officials cannot censor or confiscate a publication, withdraw or reduce its funding, withhold student activities fees, prohibit lawful advertising, "stack" a student media board, discipline staff writers or take any other action that is motivated by an attempt to control or manipulate past or future content."
In addition, student officials cannot, "punish a paper's staff or advisor or withdraw a publication's funds for content based reasons."
Censorship limits the expression and creativity of individuals. When a voice is silenced, individuality and independent thinking are lost. Being in college is not just about adhering to the rules, but rather breaking free of predisposed boundaries and creating your own.
Because they work with, and for, the student body on a daily basis, administrators should be the first to support a college newspaper, even when what the newspaper prints does not shed favorable light on them. Part of being a good journalist is having the ability to look at situations, events, and people with an objective eye, meaning that we cover every side of a story.
As stated by Senator Joe McDermott, "it is important to not only educate our students, but to trust them and empower them with the rights and responsibilities that are entrusted to them in our Constitution."
Administrators, of any college community, must trust their students with the power of expression and take, with grace and understanding, the consequences that come with delegating that power, even if delegating that power means that the administration will now be held accountable for its actions.
If you have a problem with the paper, criticize the hell out of us. But if you're going to attempt to censor us, don't hold your breath.
-Allison Baldwin is Opinions Editor of The Observer
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