Picture this-- RU President, Douglass Covington, cracks open his fresh, hot-of-the-press copy of the Tartan to read that a student on campus has been arrested for possession of LSD. What can he do? Does he, as President, have the right to force the Tartan to make a retraction, because their article may have offended or scared away prospective students at RU's Open House? Does any member of Radford University Administration have any right to remove, censor, or otherwise manipulate what student publications broadcast, print, or publish?
Student Media at Radford University include: Tartan, ROC-TV, Whim, Exit 109, Beehive, and the New Student Record. These six media use tact in their publications, and determine for themselves which stories they will run with. Does anyone have the right to remove or tell any of these media that what they did requires an immediate reversal of opinion or a retractment?
The answer to both of these hypothetical situations is a simple "No." The general public is always, (as is granted in the 1st amendment of the US Constitution) allowed the right to disagree with, and even protest, these media for their stories or broadcasts. Most media (like the Tartan and Whim) offer a place within their respective publications for such an event to occur. The Editorial section in the Tartan, and Vent section in Whim are provided as forums for public opinion. The other media provide contact information in their broadcasts and publications for feedback, and are always open to feedback, good or bad.
Like the general public, the student media here at RU, and everywhere else for that matter, have the right to print, publish, or broadcast anything they wish, provided it is accurate and non-libelous. I can assure you that none of the student media "make the news," with the exception of ROC-TV, which is composed of skits intended to be satirical in nature.
Should the Tartan have held back their articles on the LSD-possessing student, and the known existance of the "Date Rape Drug" in the city of Radford? I say no. If students are looking to come to a University such as RU, they need to see the good with the bad. It is only right. What kind of message are we sending the public if everything is fluff and not accurate?
Should ROC-TV have held back their skit on the "Sounds of College Students?" Probably not. The show is intended to parody society. If the college atmosphere were not so open about alcohol abuse, ROC would not have thought to parody it. I personally have a problem with the "party school" image here at RU, but who am I to tell ROC-TV that their skit is not worthy of being on the air? Where does that line end? I have the right to turn the dial if I so choose. I have the right to tell my friends not to watch if I so choose. I even have the right to call the good folks at ROC and tell them I did so. But should we stop publishing, printing, and broadcasting something just because a stink is raised?
I think it is censorship, either way. I think the student media at RU are responsible of their own material, and if they say it can run, it should run. Of course, I am not advocating publishing, printing, or broadcasting something for the sake of doing it, (just because they have the right to). If there is a legitimate complaint with how things are going or if a student gets caught stealing a Snickers bar from 7-11, I want to hear about it. I don't think anyone should have the right to stop me from such a discovery.
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Name:Scott Cloud Comments:
That didn't seem like you. I just raised a fuss to be safe. I wish you would have left it up so whoever reads my comments will understand that they were about the fake brian, your evil twin, or whoever else posted it.
Name:Brian Korte Comments:
I think I need to clarify...just to step in here... Scott, this is the first feedback form I have enetered on this article. Whoever you addressed on this page as being me...was not. :) Hope there is no confusion --B
Name:Scott Cloud Comments:
I agree with Brian's statements to a point. As a few of you know, I have been a critic of the way the general student media operates and also more importantly, have been a major proponant of first amendment freedoms. I am torn on how to view student media. One one hand, I personally know many people who work in student media and know them to be professional and respecting of the public interest, yet I also know professors and administrators that have expressed to me inside stories on how the administration has pulled some sneaky tricks to accomplish their goals. These profs and admins have no reason to lie and would be in the position to know these things. From the tales they tell, it is not a simple matter of direct censorship as the general charectorzation has been. It is a far more complex matter that goes beyond funding and direct ultimatums. It's hard for me to believe that the good and smart people that work in student media would be suckers enough to fall prey to the information trap as I like to see it, but from my casual observation, it happens and quit a lot. My advice to the students and the media is two fold- don't assume that there is no administration tampering in the news because the media or administarions tells you there is not (they might not even know completly themselves) and 2, push for a completly independant news source from RU- like the eccentric but with actual news content. The tartan doesn't rely on funding, but they do rely on a lot more like the good graces of different departments to get their stories and promotions and grades. The only paper I would completly trust is one published with absolutly no university ties whatsoever. I ecourage Radford students to think, critically think before they trust.
Name: sneaky Comments:
george, honey, take a look at your constitution!
RU's student media are protected fully by the first amendment.
as far as funding goes, the tartan makes its own money from ad sales. the operating money initially comes from sabc funds, but it is allll paid back in full (and then some!) at the end of each academic year.
you should be proud that your student media have the cojones enough to stand up for the free press.
would you actually prefer a newspaper that had to be approved by covington or some other RU administrator?? that "news" paper would only be a PR tool and would be even more "one-sided" than critics claim the tartan already is.
get real, george.
Name:George Major: Criminal Justice Comments:
I just wanted to say a few things. I respect the fact that the student media exercises their right of free speech. But unfortunately with the scenario you presented I have to argue that you guys or the tartan is wrong. I am well aware the tartan is not paid for out of student activity funds but their offices are located in a school building. I'm not too sure about the other media organizations but I think you all do receive something from this school. Therefore, I believe Dr. Convington has every right to censor certain things. You are using student funds that can be appropriated else where. I don't necessarily agree with what the president should have done but he sure does have the power. I understand if the media was operated by funds that have nothing to do with student funds. But have you ever thought to ask how students feel about placing certain things in the news. This is as much my money as yours but sometimes I think my money can go elsewhere. Anyway, I would like to end on a good note. Keep up the hard work you do. Just because I don't agree with everything you say, you have earned the right to be heard. But please respect the fact that our president has responsibility over the school's facilities.
