Liam Thomas McManaman | Contributing Illustrator

Last week, administrators at Indiana University told their school-sponsored student newspaper, the Indiana Daily Student (IDS), that an upcoming edition could only include special content related to the university’s homecoming. No other regular news coverage was allowed. After the IDS’s faculty advisor spoke up for students against the directive, Indiana fired him. As the IDS students continued to ask for the ability to freely publish their regular content, university administrators fully cut the newspaper’s print editions. 

As the editorial board of an independent student newspaper, we cannot stand by as the voices of our peers are silenced. Censorship of the free press is never acceptable. 

What makes the news out of Indiana even more alarming is that this is just the latest move in a series of attacks on journalism from people in positions of power across the country. Over the past year, while student journalists have faced fear of deportation, doxxing, and general anti-free press sentiment, the country has watched the federal government carry out similar policies meant to silence dissent and restrict press freedom on a national level.

Amidst these circumstances, Student Life, alongside 54 other student news organizations, signed on to an amicus brief in a lawsuit filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, the Stanford Daily, and two other individuals. The amicus brief — a legal document written by outside organizations to provide information and perspective to the court — was filed by a Student Press Law Center-led coalition. The lawsuit challenges the use of immigration law to punish international students for constitutionally protected speech. They emphasized the importance of student newspapers featuring diverse perspectives and the impacts of the Trump administration’s suppression of freedom of speech.

This lawsuit is imperative to advocating for student voices and the freedom of the press. As the brief writes, “the stakes for student journalism, journalism education, and the democratic values underlying those pursuits could hardly be higher.”

The Trump administration’s treatment of international students — including students at WashU — has created a chilling effect on free expression, posing unprecedented threats to the well-being of international student journalists. In March, Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk, a Turkish national, was arrested after publishing an op-ed in the Tufts Daily criticizing the university’s response to the war in Gaza. In the following months, student journalists across the country have felt unsafe sharing their opinions or reporting on campus events out of fear of retribution.

At WashU, 11 international students faced visa revocations last spring. We have heard from international students unwilling to contribute to Student Life on-the-record as a result of the Trump administration’s actions and the looming threats of visa revocation or deportation.

Unfortunately, student news outlets are not the only ones facing threats to the independence of the press. In recent months, the Trump administration has taken steps to specifically hinder the ability of national organizations to freely report the news. After journalists from almost every major news outlet refused to sign on to new rules created by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to restrict reporting, the Pentagon rescinded their press access. Over the last year, President Donald Trump has sued news outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, CBS News, and ABC News over coverage he takes offense to. The president has also weaponized the Federal Communications Commission to punish outlets like ABC and CBS.

This is not normal. It is anti-democratic: a violation of our constitutional rights. A free and independent press is critical to a functioning democratic society, and the abridgement of the freedom of the press must not be tolerated. Without editorial independence, journalists cannot effectively do their jobs, and people would not be able to stay informed on matters relevant and important to their daily lives.

Journalism exists not to serve those in positions of power, but to serve the community and hold those in power accountable. Whether it be university newspapers or legacy media, it is imperative that journalists are able to freely report the news without the threat of censorship.

Staff editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of our editorial board members. The editorial board operates independently of our newsroom and includes members of the senior staff.

Riley Herron | Editor-in-Chief

Sylvie Richards | Managing Forum Editor

Dion Hines | Senior Forum Editor

David Ciorba | Senior Forum Editor

Lyn Wilkins | Junior Forum Editor

Amelia Raden | Senior Forum Editor

Sydney Tran | Editor-in-Chief

Matt Eisner | Managing Sports Editor

Hannah Much | Junior Sports Editor

Bri Nitsberg | Managing Photo Editor

Elizabeth Grieve | Senior Scene Editor

Sophia Hellman | Senior Scene Editor

Sara Gelrud | Junior Scene Editor

AnaElda Ramos | Managing Illustration Editor

Grayce Cooper | Managing Social Media Editor

Mia Burkholder | Managing Chief of Copy

Quinn Moore | Managing Newsletter Editor

Eliza Stulman | Junior Sports Editor