As a result, when NCCU became the focus of international media coverage in March after one of its students accused members of Duke University’s men’s lacrosse team of raping her, the student newspaper covered the story without fear of interference or retaliation.
Ammons credits his years at FAMU as provost under former president Dr. Frederick S. Humphries for his understanding of the student press. Dr. Valerie White, assistant journalism professor and faculty adviser to The Famuan, agrees that FAMU administrators have, in general, been supportive of a free student press.
The newspaper has encountered more conflict recently, she says, from the Student Government Association, which controls the purse strings.
At FAMU, North Carolina A&T and Texas Southern University, among others, SGA leaders have attempted to influence or reduce funding to student newspapers in recent years. But at most institutions, battles with administrators have remained the most difficult challenge to a truly independent student press.
White suggests “a meeting at the beginning of the school year to foster a dialogue … so both parties will know how to work with one another and to explain expectations and legal issues concerning the student press.”
Tisdale, who served as Hilltop editor for two years, says she initiated such a gathering when she ran the paper.
“When I became editor, there were problems between the previous editor and the administration, so the administration didn’t want to give us money for computers. I had to meet with them and let them know we all wanted the same thing — what was best for the university. In the case of the newspaper, that’s content that is fair and balanced.”
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