The University of Sussex Student Union is said to have suspended the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Badger. Newspaper staff, in a message on Twitter, said Paul Millar had been suspended by the Union because of concerns they had on content for their recent issue. Staff also said that online permissions to publish articles were removed.
The paper had started a campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #yourecullingus.
Update: @USSU is trying to seize our latest edition. We have independent legal reps who have said all content is legal. #YoureCullingUs
— The Badger (@TheBadgerNews) September 28, 2015
Update: @USSU appears to have removed all online permissions for the website. We now cannot post articles online. #yourecullingus
— The Badger (@TheBadgerNews) September 28, 2015
Update: Our editor in chief, Paul, has been suspended by @USSU. More to follow. #YoureCullingUs
— The Badger (@TheBadgerNews) September 28, 2015
Had a similar issue at my uni paper. We have the right to report stories, that’s the point! @TheBadgerNews @USSU https://t.co/W4kHzJLZlb
— Katie Sands (@sands024) September 28, 2015
In a statement, the Students Union said the process usually conducted before the release of an issue of the Badger was not followed.
“Each issue of The Badger has to be signed off by a Students’ Union representative before it is sent to print to ensure it complies with relevant legislation and to avoid the threat of litigation,” the statement read. “This ensures The Badger is operating within the law and protects the Union and student journalists from potentially costly legal cases as the Union is the publisher of The Badger. The Badger were asked not to distribute the paper until it had been signed off in the correct way.”
A spokesperson for the Union declined to comment beyond that statement when reached by Kettle.
It is understood that the matter has been raised with officials at the Student Publication Association. Kettle is a member publication of the SPA, as is The Badger. The SPA did not immediately respond to a telephone message left seeking comment.
Attempts to reach a member of the editorial staff at The Badger were unsuccessful.
