Putting that censorship out there

Kudos for whoever started the blog of stories rejected by the CCSU quote/unquote editors, Rowan & Co. It is sheer genius to put it out there -- after all, Rowan himself put it out there that students could publish in their newspaper (file that under "D" for "duh" because it is the STUDENT newspaper). Turns out, however, that he doesn't want students to write about the latest Rowan-sponsored fiasco.

And when Stan "I live for the First Amendment" Simpson at the Courant gives you a First-Amendment Smackdown, you know you are in a heap o' trouble. Kudos to Stan -- he's joined the legions of folks embarrassed by the Recorder and even suggests, albeit in a veiled way, that there may be something to be done about this gross overstepping of boundaries.

And really, who is going to hire these folks associated with the Recorder once they're out of school? First, CCSU seems a joke. The Recorder has made it so becuase CCSU is only in the news when Rowan et al make it so. Second, if you really want a career in journalism, The Recorder isn't helping you -- in fact, many would argue that it is alienating you. Who in their right journalistic mind would hire you if this is the kind of publicity you attract? Some at The Recorder surely want more than a good "nana-boo-boo" at the Establishment that can't touch 'em. Right?? We'll see.... Maybe some will wise up and vote Rowan out of office before he can do more damage to their future careers.

Or perhaps those who have been denied the right to publish in their own student newspaper will take it to the Media Board and demand to know why this Board is holding over $150,000 of student money for the newspaper but not letting students who paid those fees access the platform of free speech that is valued over all other rights. (If the current line-up is correct, there are open student spots on that board....) And a gander at the Media Board Constitution can only embolden the cause. Of course, if you cannot access controversial articles anymore, it may be because some on the Media Board have deemed them too controversial. (just scroll down to that about some Toyota Prius ad...clearly the most offensive that the paper has to offer!) And you might want to know why the latest minutes of Media Board meetings is in July 2007. Have they not met since then? And if not, where are the minutes of these meetings?