Penn State removes student newspapers, sparking free speech debate

Administrators at Penn State University say they acted after the student newspaper violated rules that govern advertising and use of facilities on campus.

The Daily Collegian, though, called the removal Wednesday night of its newspapers and newsstands from dozens of campus buildings, all without notice, something different — an attack on free speech.

The 35 racks removed from inside those buildings included three with advertisements for Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, as well as six with voter registration ads, all located in poster space above the actual newspapers.

A number of Collegian newsstands that were removed did not have advertisements, according to a Collegian story published about the removal Thursday night.

It quoted Editor-in-Chief Amy Schafer, a second-year student pursing public relations and global and international studies.

"I was very alarmed when I first noticed that our newsstands were missing. More alarming to me wasn't necessarily the removal of the stands, but also the papers themselves," Schafer said. "It's censoring our outlet, and it's a violation against free speech to remove our papers."

She added, "Our student journalists put in a lot of really hard work in making sure that we produce a really quality print edition. I'm surprised that they would do something like this, especially without giving us warning, because we're not affiliated with the university."

Lisa Powers, a Penn State spokeswoman, pointed to a pair of regulations that cover advertising and use of campus facilities. She did not specify whether it was the ads for Harris, voter registration or something else that prompted the newspapers' removal.

"The display and distribution of the paper version of the Daily Collegian is permitted, as the University understands the importance of a free news and information source specifically for its students," read a statement she shared. "However, the Collegian's use of advertising space within university buildings is in violation of AD27 Commercial Sales Activities at University Locations and AD02 Non-University Groups Using University Facilities."

Penn State's main University Park campus already was in the political spotlight Thursday as conservative influencer Charlie Kirk made an abbreviated appearance outside the Hub-Robeson Center as part of the Turning Point USA, "Your Being Brainwashed," tour. His supporters accused Penn State of interfering with the event by shutting off his microphone set up on the lawn outside the center, according to Onward State, a student-driven independent, alternative Penn State news website.

Penn State officials could not immediately be reached Friday for its reaction to the assertion.

The Collegian story posted to its website Thursday evening about the newspaper and newsstand removals indicated that staff were aware of pushback from some on and off campus.

"In response to running these political ads, the Collegian received feedback from alumni and students and was notified of university concern Wednesday via an off-the-record conversation," the stated. "The source said they heard the university was alleging the advertisements violated advertising rules."

The noted correspondence between the Collegian's general manager and the university's chief procurement officer. It said racks were to be returned Friday morning without the advertisements

Grover Cleveland was in the White House when Penn State's independent student newspaper — then called The Freelance — published its first edition in 1887. The Collegian has a long and storied history but has faced budetary cuts of late

The Collegian utilizes advertising sales as a revenue source, the story posted to its site Thursday night said. "Advertising revenue has become increasingly vital after receiving a 100% funding cut from the university's general fund in 2023, beginning this school year" amid efforts to reduce a budget deficit at Penn State.

Words of the removal began spreading on social media. Among those registering displeasure was Joel Haas, described on the Collegian site as its football editor and a senior journalism major.

"It's a clear violation of our first amendment rights to freedom of speech and freedom of the press ," he said on X.

"Even if you don't read the Collegian, or don't like our coverage, I think everyone can recognize the importance of having an unbiased news source on campus. The Collegian provides an essential public service and has done so since 1887