A coalition of 14 national journalism organizations sent a letter Wednesday to Indiana University administrators, urging them to act on a student media task force’s recommendations — and warning that the press freedom community is still watching.
IU appointed the Task Force on Editorial Independence and Sustainability in November after the university faced widespread backlash for restricting the print content of the student-led Indiana Daily Student, firing the student media director, and canceling IDS print editions, which it later temporarily restored. (Read more on that background here.)
The coalition, led by the Student Press Law Center, said it remained “deeply concerned” by IU’s actions, but it praised the task force’s work to create a roadmap for a strong, independent future for IU student media.
“The credibility of this process now depends on whether IU follows through,“ the letter reads. “Now is the time for IU to demonstrate its stated commitment to robust student media by putting that roadmap into action.”
The coalition called on IU to publicly commit to a clear implementation timeline for the task force’s recommendations, including creating enforceable protections for editorial independence and a sustainable funding structure that cannot be used to influence or punish editorial coverage. It also called for student leaders to have permanent, meaningful representation in student media governance.
Other letter signatories include Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, Freedom of the Press Foundation, Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS), Journalism Education Association, The Media and Democracy Project, National Scholastic Press Association, PEN America, Quill & Scroll, Radio Television Digital News Association, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and Society of Professional Journalists.
The organizations offered their help as they called for bold leadership by IU administrators.
“Just as we were last fall, the nation’s press freedom community is paying close attention to what IU does next,” the coalition wrote. “How you respond in this moment will shape IU’s national reputation as a place that either protects or undermines student press freedom.”
About the Student Press Law Center: The Student Press Law Center is the nation’s only legal organization devoted exclusively to defending and advancing the free press rights of student journalists. Since 1974, we have helped students and their educators navigate the law, strengthen their reporting and stand up for press freedom. Our legal support, education and advocacy empower student journalists to report freely and courageously. Stay updated by subscribing at splc.org/newsletter.