Staff editorial: The dangers of unfree speech
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Opinions
The Montclarion, the student-run newspaper at Montclair State University in Montclair, N.J., was forced to stop publishing beginning Jan. 24 by its parent organization, the university's Student Government Association.
We feel the decision made by the Montclair SGA was an overreaction that could have been avoided through less drastic measures.
The Montclair SGA told the printer of The Montclarion to suspend publishing after the executive board of the government association found the newspaper to be in violation of "illegally spending funds [and] disregarding policies." The funds in question were used by The Montclarion to hire outside legal counsel to look into whether the SGA possibly had violated state open meeting laws.
The issue of free speech and free press on college campuses across the nation often has been met by ambiguity from lawmakers.
In the 1980s, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision that allowed high school principals the power of censorship and prior review over their respective schools' publications. This action has been considered by many First Amendment advocates as a damaging blow against free press for future generations.
One of the fundamental duties of the press is to operate as a watchdog to keep governing agencies accountable to the people they represent. By suspending the student newspaper, the Montclair SGA has robbed its student body of the opportunity to participate in one of the essential freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
The lack of separation between the SGA and the university's paper raises the alarming question of why any governing agency at a state university would be given the power to literally stop the presses. This oversight creates a fundamental conflict of interest since The Montclarion is responsible for reporting the actions of the SGA.
It is evident that The Montclarion may have been in violation of an agreement with the SGA regarding the use of funds. From this perspective, it is apparent the issue should be resolved as an internal matter that may result in some kind of disciplinary action for the violation of the agreement.
We feel the decision made by the Montclair SGA was an overreaction that could have been avoided through less drastic measures.
The Montclair SGA told the printer of The Montclarion to suspend publishing after the executive board of the government association found the newspaper to be in violation of "illegally spending funds [and] disregarding policies." The funds in question were used by The Montclarion to hire outside legal counsel to look into whether the SGA possibly had violated state open meeting laws.
The issue of free speech and free press on college campuses across the nation often has been met by ambiguity from lawmakers.
In the 1980s, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision that allowed high school principals the power of censorship and prior review over their respective schools' publications. This action has been considered by many First Amendment advocates as a damaging blow against free press for future generations.
One of the fundamental duties of the press is to operate as a watchdog to keep governing agencies accountable to the people they represent. By suspending the student newspaper, the Montclair SGA has robbed its student body of the opportunity to participate in one of the essential freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.
The lack of separation between the SGA and the university's paper raises the alarming question of why any governing agency at a state university would be given the power to literally stop the presses. This oversight creates a fundamental conflict of interest since The Montclarion is responsible for reporting the actions of the SGA.
It is evident that The Montclarion may have been in violation of an agreement with the SGA regarding the use of funds. From this perspective, it is apparent the issue should be resolved as an internal matter that may result in some kind of disciplinary action for the violation of the agreement.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 7
Joe Biles
posted 1/31/08 @ 9:26 AM CST
The self-righteousness of the Daily Toreador/University Daily concerning its supposed journalistic independence continues to border on the absurd.
The First Amendment's guarantee of free speech does not guarantee anyone a venue for their speech. (Continued…)
Charles Morton
posted 1/31/08 @ 3:51 PM CST
Joe is right, free speach does not bring a free platform for the speach, and those who speak are responsible for their recourse. On this action I think the Daily Toreador has an elitiest viewpoint and are hypocrates since the resolution by the SGA (and not a real governing body) to remove the body count. (Continued…)
Common Sense
posted 1/31/08 @ 6:41 PM CST
Quote from Article Joe Biles wrote....
"The First Amendment's guarantee of free speech does not guarantee anyone a venue for their speech."
well your view of the first amendment is very disturbing. (Continued…)
Hot Dog Fingers
posted 2/01/08 @ 6:11 PM CST
Oh here we go again, The Daily Toreador editorial board uses its opinions page to, low and behold, give an opinion and then, because it just so happens that Tech is located in a highly conservative town and The DT is the "fascist communist liberal" paper because you dont agree about something someone has a viewpoint about. (Continued…)
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