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Grumbling about Grambling

Siiiigh. I'm soooo tired of educators going on about how academically rigorous, accepting, community-oriented, student-focused and marketplace-of-ideas-honoring their institutions are -- only to see them turn around and censor student publications.

But this happens all the time, and the latest such pomposity is playing itself out at Grambling State University in Louisiana. According to The (Monroe, La.) News Star, Provost Robert Dixon stopped the publication of The Gramblinite this month until the publication's "quality" improves. Dixon says he wants the students to do a better job of fact-gathering and for the university's mass communications department to be more involved in the paper's production.

Quality, eh? I'm not buying it -- and neither are Gramblinite student journalists and an array of other journalism advocacy organizations. Gramblinite Editor in Chief Darryl Smith told the Student Press Law Center that Dixon is unhappy about recent stories that have cast the university in a negative light.

Now that, I believe.

For those who keep track of these things, The Gramblinite is an award-winning publication. The Society of Professional Journalists has honored the paper for its top-notch journalism with several regional Mark of Excellence Awards. A quick snapshot: In 2003, the paper won five regional awards; in 2004, four regional awards and in 2005, 12 regional awards. I have no reason to believe the paper won't be a strong contender in our next contest.

Here's what is especially troubling about this matter: The university is using the terrible Hosty v. Carter decision to justify its actions.

The Society of Professional Journalists and the Student Press Law Center stand together on this matter for these reasons eloquently explained by Mark Goodman, the SPLC's executive director:

"College and university officials have to understand that the First Amendment simply does not allow them to censor student publications because they are unhappy with the content decisions student editors have made.

"Despite the university's reference to the 2004 Hosty v. Carter decision, one aberrant court decision from another jurisdiction does not undo the last 35 years of legal precedent supporting the free press rights of college journalists.

"Both the Society of Professional Journalists and the Student Press Law Center pledge their support to students at Grambling University or any other public university where school officials are so clearly acting in conflict with the United States Constitution. We are prepared to help students defend their First Amendment rights, in court if necessary."
Published Thursday, January 25, 2007 2:52 PM by christinetatum
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Comments

# re: Grumbling about Grambling

Saturday, January 27, 2007 12:46 PM by Christine Tatum
The suspension of The Gramblinite's publication has been lifted, but I'm not sure the university's "solution" will be much better. See SPJ's statement about this matter for an update -- and for the Society's smart recommendations to officials of Grambling State University.

# re: Grumbling about Grambling

Monday, January 29, 2007 1:09 PM by Rachel worthy
I'm finally glad to see someone take a stand against inacceptible reporting! I've personally seen three people get caught plagiarizing in our school paper, and watched as NO ONE DID ANYTHING!!! Sure, teachers gripe all the time about how bad of a paper it is yet no one gives a damn enough to evaluate the people on staff or the nonsense they publish each week. KUDOS, Grambling University officials, you're ACTUALLY DOING YOUR JOB!  

# re: Grumbling about Grambling

Monday, January 29, 2007 3:09 PM by Christine Tatum
Hmmm. "Unacceptable" reporting is the problem?
The answer isn't for university officials to solve those issues. That's like asking government to step in and edit a city's newspaper and "evaluate" its staff reporters. The journalists the government officials don't like would obviously get the axe. (For example, imagine the bedlam that would break out if the feds suspended publication of The New York Times until its "quality" improved. Folks who think there's nothing wrong with such a scenario scare me ...)
It is critical for the press -- including the student press -- to be free and unfettered. Students are learning, and they will make mistakes (heck, veteran newsies make big mistakes, too). But there are ways to correct/clarify poor journalism and to deliver effective teaching that don't involve censorship and suspension of publication.
There's no excuse for plagiarism, and I agree that any student caught ripping off someone else's work should be severely punished. But, again, that should not be the role of Grambling administrators.
I must confess that I don't fully understand how the newspaper is funded. I have a hunch that it receives a significant chunk of change from university coffers each year -- and that, unfortunately, is a problem. It's incredibly important for institutions to give that money with no strings attached -- but few seem to understand that. Student publications would do themselves a HUGE favor by being as financially independent as possible.
SPJ's Campus Media Statement Program is something all universities should examine and pledge to support.

# re: Grumbling about Grambling

Tuesday, January 30, 2007 1:03 AM by Jeff Benson
As a journalist, Ms. Tatum, I find your willingness to accept Smith's second-hand interpretations of what Dixon may or may not have said during their meetings a bit disturbing.

Given your comments, you seem to draw a conclusion without even hearing both sides for yourself. And there are usually two sides to any story. (Granted, I don't see Dixon burning down the phone lines to speak to members of the media other than Smith.)

Still, I'd like to hear what Dixon has to say in regards to his actions (and I hardly expect they're as sinister as you'd have those reading your blog and press releases believe).

I'm not saying I agree with the actions or the tactics GSU took. Indeed, many of their problems would have been avoided or greatly assisted in perception with better, more open communication with members of the media.

I've always found the administrators there hard to deal with no matter what tack the news takes ... good or bad.

Perhaps that's due to the university's lack of consistent, strong leadership over the last 15 years. Presidents have flown in and out of GSU as if they were on a migratory path.

Because of that the students have suffered, the faculty have suffered and the programs have suffered. And I think the Gramblinite debacle is just one example of that.

If the Mass Communications department were set up properly, if the structure of the newspaper were set up properly, Dixon's point would be moot -- there would be a system in place to see to corrections for inaccurate copy, there would be a system to deal with those who would dare to copy other's work and call it their own.

 

# re: Grumbling about Grambling

Tuesday, January 30, 2007 4:13 PM by Christine Tatum
Thanks for your thoughts Jeff. We are basically on the same page.
I'll simply reiterate that while I think it's important for systems to be in place for the sake of ensuring accurate and fair copy, it should NOT be the role of the university's administrators to set up those systems or enforce them.
The word "sinister" in reference to Grambling University officials' actions is yours, not mine. I have no idea what those folks' intentions were or are -- but their actions have been sorely inappropriate and unfortunate for many of the reasons outlined here.
And a point of clarification: I'm not relying on Smith's interpretations of his meetings with Dixon to assess this situation. I have, instead, read numerous news stories citing Dixon's concerns about the paper's quality. I haven't seen any of that reporting corrected, clarified or even challenged, so I have no reason to believe it provides an innaccurate picture of Dixon's stance.
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