It appears student government leaders at Bowling Green State University could use a refresher course on
freedom of the press.
Dislike of a story or headline does not give the government the right to censor the school newspaper, the
BG News. And while student government leaders must win over voters at the polls, the position of
newspaper editor should not be based on popularity.
Last month the Undergraduate Student Government introduced a resolution calling for election of the
editor and intervention by the administration if the BG News continues "reflecting poorly on BGSU’s
core values and student organizations."
So much for universities being the refuge of free speech and independent thinking.
Student government leaders denied that they were proposing "censorship." They just wanted to
impose "checks and balances" to hold the newspaper "accountable." Maybe the student
government leaders need to brush up on their vocabulary as well.
Though the USG resolution was tabled, just the suggestion struck fear in the hearts of student
journalists at the newspaper, journalism professors on campus, and alumni journalists who are practicing
the trade around the nation.
Alumni suggested the budding government leaders Google countries with state-run media, like Russia, to
see how well that form of journalism is serving the public.
"College campuses are meant to be an open marketplace of ideas. One would think student
representatives would defend that notion of free expression from their peers and the independent
press," the alumni journalists wrote in a guest editorial after the USG resolution surfaced.
The faculty was equally as horrified.
The fact that "USG is advocating that media be a public relations arm for the university and support
values that would make everyone feel good … exactly the reason why we have a free press," said
Mike Horning, assistant professor in the department of journalism and public relations.
The newspaper’s purpose is not to be a cheerleader for BGSU – the university has a marketing and
communications department for that.
And while I’m recommending coursework for the student government leaders, how about a class on
researching issues. The lengthy resolution cites complaints about the BG News from several Greek
organizations and the BGSU Athletic Department. The resolution blamed reporting inaccuracies for
limiting student attendance and support for student athletes.
However, an official with BGSU Athletic Communications told the BG News that claim was false.
The resolution seems to be a reaction to a headline that left a bitter taste with several Greek and
student government officials. The headline read "Short of a Miracle," when the BGSU Dance
Marathon did not make its fundraising goal during the annual event on campus. The story painted a
positive picture of the student efforts and their dedication to the Children’s Miracle Network. But the
headline was enough to make student government leaders hungry for payback.
The resolution also criticized the BG News for making spelling and grammar errors, which then "does
not represent a state of excellence" called for in BGSU’s core values. I challenge any students, or
professionals for the matter, to produce several pages of content with a daily deadline without any
errors.
And finally, perhaps one last course on diplomacy may be needed by the student government leaders. BG
News staff said they had not been contacted by USG members about their dissatisfaction with the
newspaper. The budding government leaders may learn that often more can be gained by communicating
through words rather than trying to censor them.