Student Jounalism
Seriously Irresponsible Journalism Student journalism is a thriving enterprise, more popular today than it probably has ever been. With ever lower printing costs and easy to use design software it seems that anyone can run a magazine or newspaper. However, with this new power comes responsibility. Kat Alethein investigates whether student publications take this responsibility seriously enough, and what one can do if it all goes wrong. with CUSU. Consequently if the paper makes a mistake, CUSU can work through a resolution with a complainant. Your rights are clearly published online by CUSU outlining the consequences an editor faces for journalistic misconduct. This seems a satisfactory procedure. CUSU have the expertise and authority to deal with problems of journalistic
“I spoke anonymously and the journalist felt the need to trace me.”
I
do not mean to put down student publications - they remain a lively realm of debate and an exciting aspect of student life. However, I do think it is important to look at newspapers such as TCS and Varsity to discover exactly what options exist for rectifying journalistic misconduct. These newspapers, each with a 10,000 copy distribution, boast to their advertisers that they are seen by every Undergraduate in Cambridge. They , therefore, hold considerable influence within the university. The effects of vengeful or purely mistaken information and comment can, therefore, be devastating, whether it is to the success of a play, an election campaign or a student’s well-being. With this widespread influence one would hope that these publications had well structured procedures to avoid publishing mistakes or bitter opinion, and the framework to deal with complaints in the (hopefully unlikely) case that these problems arise. I therefore, set out to find out if this was the case. TCS is produced in association
VIVID 3rd Edition May 2008
misconduct at TCS in a relatively objective manner and, as a Union, they are keen to protect the welfare of students. It is, however, a very different story at Varsity. Unlike TCS, resolutions to complaints lie entirely at the discretion of the company. Issues may be taken to the Board of Directors, but there is no objective body that can impel them into action. Unless Varsity itself admits it is wrong, a student cannot approach anyone else for help (a hitman or lawyer excluded) to ensure the publication of a clarification or apology. According to one of my sources “The power Varsity has is frightening when you think about it. Of course they should practice free speech; however, this right should never extend to exploiting other students rights to study in privacy or to be accurately represented. The victims think about approaching CUSU and their colleges for help in resolving the complaint; but there is nothing these bodies can do.” Varsity’s exact complaints procedure appears very difficult to dis-
cern. It is neither published on the website nor easily acquired from the editors. Indeed, the editors change every term and the students consequently do not even understand the procedure themselves. Most student journalists have no idea as to what they legally can and cannot write, and some seem to have no concept of the devastating effects of misconduct. Varsity claims it adheres to the Press Complaints Commision (an independent body designed to maintain a common code of conduct), and it recommends taking serious complaints to this higher authority in Point 5 of its complaints form. However, a letter from the Press Complaints Commision explained that “While 98% of UK publications fall under our control, Varsity is not one of them. It therefore has no obligation to accept our decision, or even to co-operate with our enquiries.” Again the options open to a complainant lead to a dead end. Varsity appears to be secretive, and sometimes offensive. A victimised source reveals; “the tactless response I received from the editors in Lent 2006… stated that I was entirely to blame for having my name in print as I had spoken to Varsity... I spoke anonymously and the journalist felt the need to trace me. Varsity never warned me before publication about what they were going to do.” Other independent student publications, such as Oxford’s Cherwell, do actually subscribe to the Press Complaints Commision, and conduct themselves openly. Varsity can still be independent without being ruthless and sensationalist. All that is needed is a bit of respect. V
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