Reporters barred from Smith College sit-in

[Heeeeers Johnny]

the insanity is spreading.

It's permissible for you to cover our story, just as long as you cover and report on it the way we want you to.

NORTHAMPTON -- In an effort to create a safe space free from potential insensitivity from the news media, activists at Smith College barred reporters from covering a sit-in Wednesday that drew 300 to 500 students

Snip

"We are asking that any journalists or press that cover our story participate and articulate their solidarity with black students and students of color," she told MassLive in the Student Center Wednesday. "By taking a neutral stance, journalists and media are being complacent in our fight."

Smith organizers said journalists were welcome to cover the event if they agreed to explicitly state they supported the movement in their articles.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/11/traditional_media_not_welcome.html

[romanic]

1. Journalism, how does it work?

"By taking a neutral stance, journalists and media are being complacent in our fight."

Not like this.

[elias49]

2. Not sure this is a great idea.

How many journalists signed the pledge I wonder?

[TipTok]

3. How exactly do they stop them...?

Bring a cop... Take your photos... Haul the idiots away when they lay a finger on you or deny access to a public space...

[Buzz Clik]

4. The media should abandon the protest coverage completely and let it die of neglect.

If the protesters want this to be strictly discussed within the walls of the college, so be it.

[NightWatcher]

5. The real world is gonna bite these kids in the ass

When they finally emerge from their warm and fuzzy cocoon of college, they're going to find that life is hard and there is no safe quiet space....outside of your bathroom (and that goes away as soon as you have kids).

[gollygee]

7. The students have the right to say they're banning them, but they can't actually ban them

The space is owned by the university. The newspapers can write whatever they want. Individual students, or groups of students, don't have to be friendly about it. There's no right to have people make it easy for you. The government can't put much in your way but people don't have to give more information or access than they want to. The issue here is that they don't own this space so they can't restrict access to the space. This space is public so I doubt anyone can prohibit access to it.

They can ask whatever they want of reporters but their requests have no teeth. Still, students are not taking away their freedom of speech by asking this.


Edit: I read the article more closely and apparently the college says they're a private school so they can bar the press. Hmm maybe but I wouldn't feel secure about that. It's a fairly public location, and does that school receive no public money at all?

[Chitown Kev]

8. I do not support this at all.

You allow journalists to cover the story.

If you feel that reporters have included bias, you counter that bias.

Journalist should be simply reporting the fact. Yes they often do editorializing and sensationalism but allowing them not to cover the story is a bridge too far.

Get out your own damn story, if you want it covered the way you want it covered. There's nothing wrong with advocacy journalism.

[SickOfTheOnePct]

9. Very well said!

I'm inclined to agree with the poster who said just stop covering them at all.

[tishaLA]

10. it's like repubs wanting only moderators who vote for repubs

at the debates.

Significant difference: the Smith activists are students; the repub candidates are professional, grown ass politicians.

[Chitown Kev]

11. That's a good comparison

[geek tragedy]

12. how are they going to live once they leave the privileged coccoon of ultra-elite small NE liberal

arts colleges?

[snooper2]

13. I hope the stupid around all of this will wear off after the holidays

Maybe they will go home, hey, how are classes going!

Classes, screw classes! We are fighting for JUSTICE! Justice for what!

You know, Just JUSTICE!

Um, you want me to keep paying for this LOL

[Doctor Who]

14. Snooper2 for the win..NT

[msongs]

15. if it occurs in a public space open to anybody there is no expectation of privacy. nt