On Oct. 7, Indiana University Bloomington’s student newspaper, The Indiana Daily Student, was told not to print news in its paper for homecoming.  

Co-Editors-in-Chief Mia Hilkowitz and Andrew Miller called this order a blatant defiance of their editorial independence and student media charter. The Media School of IU responded by saying the paper could print news to the Bloomington community, but it could only print designated content on campus. This is a ridiculous and expensive “solution.” 

When Director of Student Media Jim Rodenbush alongside the staff of IDS pushed back against IU’s directive, Rodenbush was terminated, effective immediately. A day later, after being called upon to reverse its decision, IU cut the IDS print edition entirely.  

We recognize with IDS and the Student Press Law Center that this is censorship in its clearest form. 

IDS is one of the best student news organizations around. In the Associated College Press’ 100th anniversary in 2021, it announced IDS as the third highest awarded paper in the nation.  

This year at MediaFest, IDS won a national award for its now-cut print. It was met with a standing ovation and resounding applause from a room filled with hundreds of student journalists from across the country. 

IDS did end up publishing the cut print digitally, including black squares where each advertisement lost was originally placed.  

In total, the paper unnecessarily lost around $5,305.16 from unpublished ads. Before this, IDS made $11,000 in advertisements in just three print editions. 

Additionally, as reported by IndyStar, Rodenbush said $250,000 donated by IU alum Mark Cuban was not allowed to be used for operational costs of IDS. 

This isn’t a financial decision, no matter what a press release from IU might say.  

When schools like IU make decisions to censor and control one of the highest awarded student newspapers in the country, it sends a shockwave through the collegiate space.   

The precedent set by IU is not just shameful; it is dangerous. Student newspapers carry the same functions as their professional alternatives. They act as watchdogs, as the holders of ideas and as some of the only informants on the inner workings of universities.  

What is a newspaper prevented from printing news? A forced public relations engine.  

We are not here to say the pretty things and leave out the rest. We are here to tell the truth without fear. 

The News made our stance on a free press very clear last semester. Our stance remains the same: A free press, of all kinds, must remain free in spite of all circumstances wishing otherwise.  

Silencing one newsroom in any form is a threat to us all, both student and professional.  

Do not let this First Amendment violation fall under the radar for IU. The university wants silence; we must not let them have it.  

As student media, it is our job to illuminate the truth and to band together to defend one another from violations of our ability to do so. 

The Purdue Exponent stood up first after IDS by printing and disseminating a stand-together edition across IU’s campus.  

Today, we call upon our fellow student and professional journalists to do the same digitally.  

Write and keep writing until IU remembers what is right.  

The Editorial Board can be reached at 581-2812 or at dennewsdesk@gmail.com.