Indiana University Bloomington’s recent sweeping changes to its student media landscape have sparked outrage from students and media advocates alike. The university’s chancellor, David Reingold, announced a comprehensive transition from print editions to a digital-first model, citing a commitment to free expression and editorial independence. This change follows the recent firing of the university’s director of student media, Jim Rodenbush. He verified the reason why he was fired, which was because he stopped censoring students’ content.
On Tuesday, Rodenbush disclosed his termination to NBC News, emphasizing that he “was terminated because I was unwilling to censor student media.” This decision was made just hours before the university ordered that the Indiana Daily Student (IDS) stop its print editions. I’m told that Indiana University has reduced the paper’s print frequency to just seven issues per semester. The campus community is fearing that this decision will be the end of student journalism at their school’s campus.
Reingold plowed new ground when he repeated the university’s position that all editorial decision-making would be with the IDS leadership. He stated, “All editorial decisions have and will continue to rest solely with the leadership of IDS and all [Indiana University] student media.” More concerning, he said that administrators told Rodenbush that news content could no longer be included in print editions.
“The campus is completing the shift from print to digital effective this week,” Reingold added. He said that what they did was guided by an action plan developed based on input from a wide range of stakeholders, including the media. Part of this plan is to create a student media ecosystem that prioritizes digital engagement.
The university’s decision has drawn sharp criticism. PEN America characterized the actions as a “blatant violation of the principles of free expression that public universities are bound to uphold.” Similarly, the Student Press Law Center condemned the move, stating, “These actions disregard strong First Amendment protections and a longstanding tradition of student editorial independence.”
Students at Indiana University have spoken out loudly, decrying the administration’s moves as examples of censorship. The editors were set to publish that Thursday’s print edition of the IDS. Recent events led them to decide to release an entirely digital version instead. The big red CENSORED in the top of this edition’s headline was a pretty clear signal about where they stood on the issue.
Mia Hilkowitz and Andrew Miller, student journalism leaders at Indiana University, said they were shocked by Rodenbush’s firing. They stated, “We are alarmed, but not shocked, by this media School administration’s decision to terminate Jim based on his commitment to defending our First Amendment rights.”
Beyond students and advocacy organizations, Rodenbush like himself was forced to speak to the effects of the university’s order. He stated, “If you’re telling them that you can’t put this in the paper on campus, it’s the literal definition of censorship.” His steadfast defense of editorial independence is a direct refutation of the decades-long tradition of university administration subverting, controlling and censoring student media.
The transition to digital formats reflects broader trends in media consumption but raises questions about the preservation of journalistic standards and independence. Stakeholders were unified in their conviction that adopting new technology will be key. They adamantly argue that it should never be at the expense of free expression or editorial independence.