Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that top staff members of UGA‘s Red and Black had resigned. The paper has been independent from the school since the 1980’s, as well as financially self-sufficient, with a board made up of non-students.
Recently, however, board documents seemed to show that students would lose their right to final editorial decisions–a change that rankled with current staff and alumni.Â
The students organized a walk-out and set up their own website to continue producing news and giving updates per the situation. On the website, RedandDead.com, editor-in-chief Polina Marinova posted her letter of resignation in which she stated, “The Red & Black has always been the best experience for student journalists. It’s no longer a place where lessons can be learned without ‘serious repercussions.’ We don’t believe that is a learning environment.”
Yesterday, the board member responsible for the memo which alerted students to possible policy changes resigned. In a statement that was also posted on ‘Red and Dead’, he expressed profound embarassment that what was meant to be an internal memo called into question the board’s commitment to independent student journalism:
“I sincerely apologize for all the embarrassment these documents have caused. I am also terribly saddened by the resulting misunderstanding and it’s impact on The Red and Black and its loyal, talented staff members. It is personally embarrassing to have the public see a document to I gave little thought and so carelessly worded.”
In an article covering the incident, CNN quoted Frank LoMonte, the executive director of the Student Law Press Center, on the board’s quick turn-around–which has led the paper’s editors to reapply for their jobs:
“No newspaper can lose their audience, and this audience wants to read a student-run newspaper…The fact this situation was largely able to be turned around in a matter of 36 hours is directly attributable to the power of social media.”
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