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JOURNALISTIC INTEGRITY TASK FORCE - SOME FAQs
1. Why can’t CCSU discipline the general
editor of the Recorder for publishing the “rape”
editorial?
The
First Amendment to the United States
Constitution prohibits CCSU from punishing the
general editor of the Recorder because the
speech in the editorial is protected from
governmental interference.
2.
Why
can’t CCSU discipline the particular editor of
the Recorder who wrote the “rape” editorial?
The
First Amendment to the United States
Constitution prohibits CCSU from punishing the
writer of the editorial at issue because the
speech in that editorial is protected from
governmental interference.
3.
Can CCSU
withhold or reduce the student fees that fund
the publication of the Recorder?
No, the
First Amendment to the United States
Constitution prohibits CCSU from taking punitive
action against the Recorder if that action is in
response to the content of protected speech
published in the Recorder. Even punitive action
that takes place a year after the objectionable
publication will most likely be found to violate
the First Amendment.
4.
Why
can’t CCSU require that the editors and writers
of the Recorder take “sensitivity training”
aimed at informing students about issues of
race, gender, sexuality, sexual harassment and
assault, and other relevant matters that are
frequently at the fore of community outrage or
concern provoked by a publication?
To
require such training would infringe upon the
First Amendment rights of the Recorder’s staff
to free speech.
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In
its recommendations, the Task Force suggests
that CCSU develop Journalism major, in which
department should this major be located?
The Task Force takes no position on this issue
and would leave that decision
up to the Provost
and President.
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