2008 Woodie Awards
Webbies film fiasco indicates larger free speech concern
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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The Journal ran an article in the March 29 issue that detailed a controversy involving the student-produced film for the Webbies, the School of Communications' annual awards ceremony.
Student filmmakers claimed members of the faculty censored the film by telling students it would not run unless major plot points were edited out. Some faculty members were concerned parts of the film might have been offensive to Austrian students who were visiting Webster's campus.
In turn, some faculty said the students and the School of Communications had a client-based relationship, one in which the film was seen as a product students were creating for the school. According to SOC administration, the school had the right to object to the film's content. Student filmmakers chose to pull the film in light of the editing request, thus explaining faculty reaction to the Journal headline saying they "squelched" the film. The disagreement between the two parties sparked a First Amendment debate, and a barrage of people voiced concerns about both the article and the Webbies film.
The Journal takes the heat
After the publication of the Webbies controversy, various SOC faculty members penned some 40 e-mails arguing various legitimate and illegitimate points concerning the story, in addition to attacking Journal staff and the paper's adviser. Instead of addressing Journal staff in an appropriate manner, some SOC faculty cornered staffers in hallways, sent berating e-mails, suggested firing Journal editors and belittled our 30-year veteran adviser, Don Corrigan, and his ability to do his job. Our favorite was when Eileen Solomon referred to Journal students behind their backs as "idiots."
This abusive behavior is neither professional nor the best way to get a concern taken seriously. All Journal-related complaints should be outlined in a letter to the editor. The Journal always welcomes letters and guest commentaries. However, if a complaint cannot be fully expressed in a letter, the complaint can be taken up at a Publications Board meeting.
Student filmmakers claimed members of the faculty censored the film by telling students it would not run unless major plot points were edited out. Some faculty members were concerned parts of the film might have been offensive to Austrian students who were visiting Webster's campus.
In turn, some faculty said the students and the School of Communications had a client-based relationship, one in which the film was seen as a product students were creating for the school. According to SOC administration, the school had the right to object to the film's content. Student filmmakers chose to pull the film in light of the editing request, thus explaining faculty reaction to the Journal headline saying they "squelched" the film. The disagreement between the two parties sparked a First Amendment debate, and a barrage of people voiced concerns about both the article and the Webbies film.
The Journal takes the heat
After the publication of the Webbies controversy, various SOC faculty members penned some 40 e-mails arguing various legitimate and illegitimate points concerning the story, in addition to attacking Journal staff and the paper's adviser. Instead of addressing Journal staff in an appropriate manner, some SOC faculty cornered staffers in hallways, sent berating e-mails, suggested firing Journal editors and belittled our 30-year veteran adviser, Don Corrigan, and his ability to do his job. Our favorite was when Eileen Solomon referred to Journal students behind their backs as "idiots."
This abusive behavior is neither professional nor the best way to get a concern taken seriously. All Journal-related complaints should be outlined in a letter to the editor. The Journal always welcomes letters and guest commentaries. However, if a complaint cannot be fully expressed in a letter, the complaint can be taken up at a Publications Board meeting.
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