There’s an infamous saying that I’m sure you know. It goes like this “The truth will set you free.” I am a barely seasoned professional journalist. Yes, I’ve gained some valuable experience at various internships and yes, I’ve experienced something along the lines of attempted censorship. I’ve concluded, based on current and past events, the truth will inevitably come to the surface eventually, so why hinder a journalist from doing their job?
Take Hosty v. Carter (2005), for example. College reporters of the Innovator, a student-run newspaper at Governor’s Square University in Illinois published articles that criticized the school’s administration.
In a hasty response, Patricia Carter, the dean of student affairs, told the newspaper’s printing company to halt more copies until administration reviews the story. The students then argued this violated their First Amendment rights and upon familiarizing myself with this case, I agree with the students. Not just because I am a student reporter myself, but because I care about the truth.
Hosty V. Carter was just one of many cases that dealt with media censorship. Take the previous set precedent for example, Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier in ’89.
This case pertained to a high school newspaper article about teen pregnancy and divorce. The principal had this article removed due to its “disruptive” stance. The court ruled in the school’s favor.
Here’s where my view shifts slightly. I can fully understand the concern if a news column is physically inciting violence or damaging someone’s reputation. However, a simple “hot take” should not be deemed as “disruptive,” especially if there is concrete evidence to back up the claim. The common factor is that someone got their feelings hurt.
I have experienced this type of conflict first-hand with my article about the racist Fizz comments that emerged after the 2024 Presidential Election. The attacks came unprovoked right after the announcement that Donald J. Trump would become the 47th President of the United States. Samford was not the only college to see an influx of several comments geared towards Black students: the University of Alabama, Clemson University and Ohio State were also targeted.
So, when I willingly took the story and attended a meeting that was meant to express Samford’s apologies to Black students on campus, I was shocked when administration wanted to exercise prior review on my story.
At the end of the day, no one wants to look bad. People want other students to be attracted to our university and its values, but this story did not mold to the rose-colored, white-picket expectation that our environment is so heavily advertised as. We have real, truthful problems that exist, and it is my job to provide my peers with the truth.
Censorship in all forms, whether it be for the media or an individual person, is extremely harmful to society, especially when the truth is so hard to find these days.
February 27, 2025 is Student Press Freedom Day, which aims to raise awareness of the many challenges we journalists face whenever we try to state the truth. Let’s use this day to recognize the vital role of uncovering the truth and holding people and administrations accountable for their actions.
Staff Writer
