A Point of Contention

INDIANA-Michael Majchrowicz, editor-in-chief of Lake Central High School’s newspaper, The Scout, addressed the school board in regards to issues that have recently been forcibly removed from newsstands.
Majchrowicz requested that the papers be returned by Tuesday February 16, that date has since passed and the issues remain in control of the administration.
The article raising controversy is an editorial by Majchrowicz encouraging the football coach, Bill Melby’s resignation. Majchrowicz expressed his agreement with the administration’s desire for change after three consecutive losing seasons.
Lake Central’s The Scout is subject to prior review by the high school’s principal, Sandie Platt.
When the issue came back “the editorial was literally unmarked,” Majchrowicz said.
Assistant Principal Doug McCallister removed the papers after receiving several complaints from students.
The Scout is under prior review, and was approved to be made public. The ensuing controversy prompted the removal of the issue. The Lake Central administration acted very unpredictably and did not stick to their original decision.
This brings up an important issue regarding First Amendment rights and student publication rights. The issue was censored due to the controversy it created not due to its content. This poses a problem for future issues of The Scout. Censorship could become an issue if administrators perceive controversy will occur if the issue is published. This discrimination is abstract and the paper will now be subject to administrative subjectivity. Censorship based on content is much more predictable than censorship based on future conflict. This decision regarding Lake Central High School’s student newspaper sets a precedent that future issues are at the whim of administrative control.
"I think the school paper should try to do things that unite students and bring the school together, and promote what the school purpose is," Lake Central Superintendent Larry Veracco said.
The “school’s purpose” is one, no doubt, laid down by administrators. Future articles in The Scout may be cut in the future simply because they disagree with the arbitrary mission of the school.
Where would we be without the right to dissent?
BY: MIKE MOATES