No, this post isn’t about the Eurovision Song Contest entry by the UK this year from the girl group Remember Monday. (Although, if you haven’t heard the song, I encourage you to check it out!)
No, today’s post is heartbreaking to write about.
My alma mater is back in the news because of its journalism program.
Yes, the university “officially” eliminated the School of Journalism in 2014 when the telecommunications and journalism programs joined the communication and culture program under the banner of The Media School.
On Tuesday, Media School Dean David Tolchinsky fired Jim Rodenbush, advisor to the Indiana Daily Student, over his refusal to comply with a university directive that the October 16 edition of the newspaper be barren of news content and focus solely on this weekend’s homecoming festivities.
Rodenbush argued this violated the First Amendment rights of the student journalists. Additionally, as an adviser, Rodenbush said the student journalists are solely responsible for the published content. He relayed the university’s request to the staff, and they chose not to bend the knee to the university’s request to censor the newspaper.
The university unloaded both barrels on Tuesday. Shortly after terminating Rodenbush (effective immediately), the university instructed the IDS to cease print publication altogether.
The IDS staff has continued their work on the newspaper’s website. In an editorial published Tuesday night (and updated Wednesday afternoon), the editors-in-chief told their story in the opinion piece, LETTER FROM THE EDITORS: IU fires student media director after he refused to censor the IDS.
Now, the fight continues, not only by the student journalists, but with the support of the Student Press Law Center and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.
The actions of the university have garnered national attention, as well. A few of the published articles include:
- Indiana University fires adviser for student newspaper amid censorship dispute (NBC News)
- ‘Rock bottom has a basement’: Reactions to IU student newspaper censorship claims (IndyStar)
- Indiana Censors Newspaper, Fires Adviser (Inside Higher Ed)
- Indiana University orders school paper to cease print edition and fires director of student media (The Guardian)
The university’s motto is Lux et Veritas. Light and Truth. And the truth of the matter is this is inexcusable, embarrassing, and makes me ashamed to be an alumnus.
PHOTO CREDIT: Photo illustration by Eric Scott Miller.
