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Sussex university students' union seizes copies of their own newspaper | Sussex university students' union seizes copies of their own newspaper |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Copies of the latest issue of The Badger, the newspaper produced by Sussex university’s student union, were seized before they could be distributed, reports the Brighton & Hove News. | Copies of the latest issue of The Badger, the newspaper produced by Sussex university’s student union, were seized before they could be distributed, reports the Brighton & Hove News. |
It appears that some union officials were upset by an article about a student who is reported to be taking legal action against the university. | It appears that some union officials were upset by an article about a student who is reported to be taking legal action against the university. |
They therefore suspended the paper’s editor and revoked the editorial staff’s access to its website after taking hold of the printed copies. | They therefore suspended the paper’s editor and revoked the editorial staff’s access to its website after taking hold of the printed copies. |
According to a brief statement on the students’ union website, the Badger’s staff had not followed procedure by having the issue “signed off by a students’ union representative” before being sent to the printer. | According to a brief statement on the students’ union website, the Badger’s staff had not followed procedure by having the issue “signed off by a students’ union representative” before being sent to the printer. |
It said this was “to ensure it complies with relevant legislation and to avoid the threat of litigation.” | It said this was “to ensure it complies with relevant legislation and to avoid the threat of litigation.” |
The statement added: “We are investigating how this occurred so cannot comment further at this point. We hope to resolve this as soon as possible.” | The statement added: “We are investigating how this occurred so cannot comment further at this point. We hope to resolve this as soon as possible.” |
A further update to the statement (posted at 2.10pm on Tuesday) said the union hoped to complete its investigation by the end of the week, adding: | |
“We have received advice that supports our concerns that content in the most recent issue is potentially defamatory... We have a responsibility to protect the Union and its student members which is why we didn’t want to publish an article that we believe puts us at risk of legal action.” | |
Earlier, some of the paper’s staff had released a statement, as reported by Brighton & Hove News, in which they said: “The Badger has received independent legal advice saying all content was legally sound... | |
“We strongly feel that our editorial independence has been compromised by the incident.” | “We strongly feel that our editorial independence has been compromised by the incident.” |
They also threatened to distribute copies of the disputed issue “regardless of union opinion.” | They also threatened to distribute copies of the disputed issue “regardless of union opinion.” |
The website also quoted the Badger’s acting editor, Daniel Green, as saying: “I am due to have discussions with the students’ union... and I hope we can come to a peaceful resolution to solve the issues which have arisen.” | The website also quoted the Badger’s acting editor, Daniel Green, as saying: “I am due to have discussions with the students’ union... and I hope we can come to a peaceful resolution to solve the issues which have arisen.” |
Sources: Brighton & Hove News/Students’ union | Sources: Brighton & Hove News/Students’ union |
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