Journalism and the First Amendment

Many journalists rely on the freedom of the press portion of the First Amendment as a support to publication, but lately it seems that those in authority use it conditionally.

Take East Carolina University for example.

The publication of a series of nude photos in the newspaper's Nov. 8 issue brought national attention and controversy to the University.

A man was arrested for streaking during a halftime military appreciation ceremony at a game, Nov. 5.

Coincidentally, two months following, Paul Isom, adviser to the student newspaper and director of student media since 2008, was terminated, with a vague explanation.

In recent reports, ECU officials declined to comment on the reason for the termination, calling it a "personnel matter," but according to a Jan. 5 interview with Isom, he has only had "positive ECU job evaluations."

According to the latest updates on the controversy, an attorney of the Student Press Law Center calls it ECU [officials'] "Plan B" because they cannot "retaliate against the editor."

Other journalists and supporters have been expressing their opinions against the controversy.

One organization, The National Press Photographers Association, is fighting to regain Isom's position.

NPPA President, Sean Elliot, sent the chancellor of ECU a letter, hoping for a change of heart.

The role of an adviser has always been to do just that -- advise.

The definition that I know for advice does not involve control or domination.

An adviser's role for a student newspaper is no different.

Ultimately, it is the editor's decision of what does or does not go out to the audience. The staff of the ECU newspaper had valid reason to publish the photos.

In previous statements, editor Caitlin Hale said that the paper's audience, primarily students, should have access to them, and I agree.

I recall a time when our staff almost ran into a similar situation.

Towing has always been a hot topic on the Winston-Salem State campus.

We were in the office on a production night when someone ran in yelling, "Someone's getting towed!"

Immediately, we filed out, reporters notebooks and cameras in hand.

A picture was taken of the operator of the tow truck, and once realized, he extended his middle finger right as the next picture was taken.

After the picture was placed online, our office was contacted by the tow truck operator, stating that we printed false information, and that he was waving.

As journalists, we should not have to worry about having our resources taken, being relocated, having faculty changes due to "dismissal" or anything of that sort as it relates to freedom of the press, but instead focus on informing, educating, and even entertaining our general public. We should be able to publish without "prior restraint."