By Lauren Russell

Student editors have been locked out their offices and fired from their positions. Rent for office space has been increased to unaffordable levels. Copies of student newspapers have been stolen by the thousands. And most commonly, student newspaper’s funding—the core of its survival—has been cut or eliminated. These tactics are just some ways Student Government attempts to bring the student press to its knees when they disagree with its coverage.

SG slashed $75,000—one-third of the paper’s budget—just like that at the University of Northern Colorado when officers disagreed with the coverage in The Mirror, says former editor in chief Dave Stefenson. Now, Stefenson says The Mirror is waiting for the rest of its money to run out.

Ron Johnson, director of Kansas State University’s Student Publications, Inc. and news advisor to the Kansas State Collegian, warns SGs to avoid the temptation to try and control editorial content. “First, it’s a violation of the First Amendment rights of the students who produce the newspaper,” he says. “Second, it’s unethical to use a student newspaper as a political propaganda tool. Third, student journalists much appreciate their editorial freedom. The meddling will backfire. Fourth, it poisons academic freedom, a foundation of American higher education.”

Johnson knows firsthand how strained the relationship between SG and the student press can become. At one point, Johnson was fired as an advisor when a dispute arose between SG and the student press. After protest from colleagues and friends, however, Johnson was back on the job 10 days later.

Instead of just accepting the budget cut, Stefenson says The Mirror responded correctly by contacting the Student Press Law Center in Virginia. SPLC, which is an advocate of free-press rights for student publications, served as The Mirror’s legal team and convinced the SG to change its mind about cutting funding. Stefenson is still waiting to hear how much money the paper will receive next year. “It’ll be some money, but not enough to survive,” he says.

Very few papers have the resources to operate independent of the school. Because funding is the lifeblood of a newspaper, typically it’s the first asset a SG will attempt to manipulate. Jenny Tenpenny Crouch, president of College Media Advisors and student publications director at Middle Tennessee State University, recommends that student newspapers receive a direct allocation of money from the university, giving the newspaper “department” status on campus. SPLC Executive Director Mark Goodman says the university administration should take responsibility for distributing funds because it has more experience. Goodman also recommends that an automatic system of payment similar to a subscription fee be implemented. After determining how many students are registered for classes, a portion of the money from student activity fees would be paid out from the university in bulk sum to the newspaper. Ultimately, this let’s students pick up copies of the newspaper for free.

Goodman says the root of the conflict often is mired in the ignorance of some SG leaders. He recommends that an experienced advisor or lawyer be appointed to educate SG leaders about the importance of the First Amendment. With the assistance of an advisor to both SG and the student press, each may find it easier to achieve their goals.

Some SG officials may not realize that attempting to control the student press by yanking its funding actually is counterproductive. Goodman says members of SG aspiring to ultimately serve in real-world government positions should start their careers out right by following the law now. They must understand that by law, a public university that relinquishes editorial control to its students isn’t ever permitted from then on to censor its newspaper. “Nothing looks worse for them than to ignore one of the most fundamental principles of democracy,” Goodman says.

Furthermore, problems result because newly-appointed SG officials often aren’t ready for the criticism that accompanies political life. When faced with criticism on the opinion pages of a student newspaper, unprepared SG officers often retaliate. How students deal with campus issues in the face of public criticism will shape how they address similar situations once out of college.

Daniel Carson, former editor in chief of The Famuan at Florida A&M University, says this is a common problem. As a result of butting heads with the newspaper over coverage two years ago, the Student Government Association withheld The Famuan’s funding until after the semester’s end. Carson says he now has a fairly good relationship with the SGA president and vice president because he’s aggressive and follows through when it comes to communicating with and informing SGA.

SG can and should voice its expectations and frustrations to its newspaper, but nothing more. The student paper should remind its government of its watchdog role, which calls for criticism at times. “A lot of it's incumbent on student papers to pressure and educate SGA,” Carson says.

If attempts to communicate and educate SG fail, the newspaper should appeal to its university administration, as well as legal counsel, Crouch says. Even a student newspaper that relies on funding from the university still is editorially independent. If financial independence is not a realistic option, Crouch recommends that all student newspapers establish their editorial independence with a statement supported by the university administration.

The integration of a media or publication board could also prevent problems between a newspaper and SG. “These boards provide an extra buffer where grievances, issues, and concerns can be aired and resolved,” Crouch says. “I would recommend a board if it is well thought out and set up with the idea of providing solid, objective support.” In addition, these boards often elect the new editor, which could prevent problems that result when the duty of hiring and firing is put in the hands of SG.

One solution Johnson suggested is that student journalists at war with its SG use the commercial media as an outlet to spread coverage of the battle. “I’ve been amazed how the ‘light’ of news coverage has improved some nasty situations for student journalists,” Johnson says.

Ultimately, there are no surefire solutions when dealing with the opposing forces of a student newspaper and SG. “It takes a SG willing to challenge the student press but ultimately reject any attempts to control the newspaper’s content,” Johnson says. “And it takes a student press that editorializes with fairness and reports with fairness and objectivity.”

It’s unlawful for a university that's created a publication with student editors to confiscate publication materials, require prior review, remove objectionable material, limit circulation, suspend editors, and/or withdraw or reduce funding. Although it may control the purse strings, SG needs to resist the impulse to zero-fund a newspaper. It’s illegal, unethical, and most assuredly will cause more havoc for SG than for the newspaper.

Contact Johnson at ronjohn@spub.ksu; Goodman at 703-807-1904 or director@splc.org, Carson at 970-521-1036 or dacarson@hotmail.com, Crouch at jcrouch@mtsu.edu, or Stefenson at 970-978-3148.
CMA: www.collegemedia.org
Student Press Law Center: www.splc.org.