Most student publications face editorial supervision and rely on support from publishers, a Student Publications Association (SPA) survey finds.
The SPA represents over 270 student publications across the UK and Ireland. Its annual membership survey, which heard from 88 publications, found that more than half of student publications are published by student unions (SU).
In at least five cases, SUs did not grant the publication independent editorial oversight. These included taking down or editing comments or censoring negative reporting on their universities.
Publications who said they did have independent editorial oversight still faced restrictions. This included having the SU “approve every article for each [print] edition,” according to one response.
Another response said that, in print, the SU “oversee absolutely everything and make publishing anything about them or the university borderline impossible.”
The University of Birmingham’s Redbrick reported that articles concerning the university, the Guild of Students, sexual assault, or other “sensitive subjects” were subject to approval by the Guild of Students.
Over half of publications (56 per cent) reported a mixed or negative relationship with their publisher in free-text responses.
Negative relationships involved forced edits, hostility to critical journalism, neglect, or obstruction, according to responses.
One publication, which described a “mixed” relationship with their publisher, said the relationship was good as long as they did not criticise the SU or the university.
Amelie Jeeves, Editor-in-Chief of The Student, said: “It’s really disappointing to see student unions acting this way towards publications. Student journalism is a really powerful way that young people can make their voices heard, to explore and investigate the issues they care about, and to hold their universities to account.
“It is also a really important place for young journalists and students in general to learn key skills which they will take forward into their careers. We are often working with limited resources and many rely on funding from their student unions to operate.
“It is therefore worrying to me that student publications, and by extension, the voices of students, can be and are being silenced in such ways.”
The National Union of Students (NUS) said the findings are “concerning,” and cited balancing legal and editorial compliance.
Justine Pédussel, President of the NUS Scotland said: “Student journalism continues to break nationally important stories as well as highlighting issues at universities and playing an important role in creating a better student experience for everyone.
“The reality is that when SAs are the publishers, student media are operating in a completely different context to traditional media outlets and some stories simply fall beyond the SA Trustee Board’s reputational, financial or legal risk appetite.
“ […] At NUS, we want to see student journalism flourish – not only is it a great example of students gaining skills beyond their degrees but we know that student journalism has been instrumental in changing the student experience for the better over the years. Where student media is owned or run from the SA, it is a careful balance between legal compliance and editorial independence, and one that must be invested in to get right.”
The Student has been financially and editorially independent from its student association (EUSA) since 1992.
Photo by Egor Komarov on Unsplash
