Streaming Eagles/ The Nest – Kaz Mull, senior communication studies major

“Freedom of the press allows us to keep the government in check and report any wrongdoings that are found. It is essential to democracy that we know what our elected officials are doing, especially if there are any abuses of power or betrayal of the people. Similarly, student press can work to keep school institutions in check. These are real voices of real students who know the strengths and issues of a university, and they can use the press to advocate for themselves. In addition, student press makes news accessible to students. Many young adults are new to the issues of news and politics, and student newspapers can be a good first exposure. It brings local and national news to the forefront and can display it in ways that become personal and understandable to these students. Overall, freedom of press is the freedom of information. Everyone has the right to be informed, especially as we create our opinions about the world we live in. 

Just as written press is important to disseminate important information, video press makes that information more real and personable. It creates a connection that written media cannot. You can watch important events, see the faces of the people telling stories, and understand nonverbal communication better than the written word. These are two facets of press that are essential and work together, as one can supply all the information and the other can show its effects. Not only is video important in press, but it is also a powerful medium for art and expression. Film can speak with words, visuals, music, and sounds in ways that other media cannot. Every aspect works together to create a story and emotional connection. Restricting video press and expression limits the connections that we can form to the news. We can see words on paper, but nothing compares to the power of watching someone tell their story.”

Candid – Maxwell Wheeler, Candid Editor-in-Chief

“Student press freedom is incredibly important. Just because we’re students and learning does not mean we have nothing significant to say. There’s a whole slew of information that only our generation can accurately report on. Us being students does not mean we’re learning what to think, but how to think—especially in a critical manner. Taking the critical skills instilled onto us, students are able to give their input on the topics we know best without being told it’s not feasible or irrelevant.

Candid is important because not only do we give input on topics of today, but we have no fall back. What I mean is that if no one becomes the new editor when I graduate, Candid will cease until someone picks it up. We don’t put this out for money or fame, we put the magazine out because we have something to say, and we need to ensure us and others have the ability to say it. While we have university staff for our advisor, they’re incredibly uninvolved. All of what we do comes down to the students and showing what we can do on our own is a symbol of what students everywhere are capable of—regardless of status.”

Fishhook – Denise McKenzie, FishHook Editor-in-Chief

“Freedom in student press is important because that is the only way students can authentically express themselves. At FishHook, we strongly believe in bringing the best work to the page and censorship is never part of that question. Art, both visual and written, is meant to evoke emotion and they aren’t always easy feelings. It’s paramount that we stay true to an author’s vision — and they need freedom to do just that. Otherwise, you risk stifling creativity and belittling the audience by withholding the truth from them.”

95.7 The Spin – Cole Barnett, News Director

“Student press freedom is important because student media is one of the few forms of media where there is no corporate influence, and we can freely speak about what is affecting our community and the world. That is the case at USI at least. I have always been thankful for the amount of editorial control that I am given as news director at 95.7 The Spin, that is not the case at many other media outlets. As long as college radio exists, there will always be someone who is telling the objective truth about social problems.”