Nicholas Stewart, the Western Illinois University (WIU) student who was suspended from his editing duties last month for selling a campus-disturbance video to news outlets, tells Romenesko readers: “As of 4:21 p.m. [Monday], I was reinstated as editor-in-chief of the Western Courier. …This was a drain on me both physically and mentally. But the enormous outpouring of support from all over the country really helped me get past it all.”
Stewart was initially accused by WIU student services vice-president Gary Biller of violating a no-freelancing policy, but the administrator told the student editor on Monday that “a preliminary review … has revealed that no complete policy exists within the Western Courier to guide us in determining a finding regarding your association with the Western Courier and your work as a freelance journalist.”
“Given the lack of guidance available regarding Western Courier policies and procedures, I am lifting your suspension immediately, and I will inform the publications board of this action.”
Stewart writes in his email to Romenesko readers:
Biller essentially blames the Western Courier for the whole incident claiming there was a “lack of guidance available.” I disagree entirely.
Nicholas Stewart
The Courier operations manual states, “Permission to work for an off-campus medium and/or freelance work should be sought in advance of the commitment. It is permissible when such work does not conflict with the staff member’s or freelance employee’s obligations to the Western Courier…”
It’s pretty clear that they didn’t take the time to read the manual or ask the publications board their policy on freelancing prior to handing out the suspension. In the letter, Biller states that he wants the publications board to “develop policies, procedures, and a code of ethics appropriate to this publication.” Again, it’s always been clear that not only is freelancing allowed, it’s encouraged to build our brand. Unfortunately for Western, my work put them in the national headlines in an unflattering way.
It’s a shame they keep passing the blame instead of just taking responsibility for their drastic actions. But, I’m looking forward to focusing back on school and the Western Courier.
* January 23: Student editor suspended for selling campus-brawl video (jimromenesko.com)
