Rant: Our campus paper just killed the letters section

Found out last week that the student newspaper at my old university, University of Michigan, quietly got rid of its letters to the editor section. They said it was 'too hard to moderate' and 'often caused more trouble than it was worth.' I remember back in 2018, that section was the only place you could really see students arguing with each other in print, about everything from tuition hikes to controversial speakers. It was messy, sure, but you felt like you were seeing real campus thought. Now it's just official editorials and pre-approved guest columns. It feels like they've given up on the idea that students can handle a rough debate. What's the point of a campus paper if it's not a forum for the campus? Has anyone else seen their school paper or student government shut down a space for open argument lately?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_julia1mo ago

Ugh that's so weak. Honestly, start a petition and get it to the student government, that's how we got ours back after they tried to pull the same thing.

oliver_mitchell2d ago

Hit up your student government reps directly too. They have to listen if enough people show up to a meeting. Petitions with signatures from 10% of students usually get their attention fast.

the_wren1mo ago

Petitions actually work? Good tip @the_julia. Might try that here too.