May I recommend three ways to act?
Turmoilsover college newspapers appear perennially. Something about spring just seems to make administrative and student bile rise with the crocus.
Presently, the slaughtered lamb on the high altar of journalism is the Ohio State Lantern. The furor began last year after the death of the journalism school's director, George Kienzle. Kienzle was a fighting journalist of the old ranks—and Ohio State administrators sidestepped control of the Lantern lest they incur his formidable wrath.
THINGS ARE different now, and Ohio State's President, Novice G. Fawcett, has placed the paper on probation and is publishing it financially on a quarterly basis. Unfortunately, Fawcett underestimated the mettle of the acting director of the school, Paul Barton, and the Lantern staff.
In the February 14 Lantern, Barton said "the Lantern is the central issue in the dispute over the future of journalism education (here)."
Barton's article referred to the enthusiasm with which Lantern editors speak for thrighly on many campus issues. In a later issue of the Lantern, the university's dean of the college of liberal arts and sciences wrote, "Our administration . . . is concerned
about the public image of the institution. At times the Lantern damages this image."
STUDENT REMARKS in the controversy have been equally blunt: "If there is anything to be learned from the current free press controversy it is that OSU's journalism school must . . . be doing an effective job educating inquiring journalists. . ."
For the Lantern and Ohio State, this is no new situation. That catchy phrase, "academic freedom," has never caught on in administrative circles there. Someone, name of Thurber, even wrote a play about it once—The Male Animal.
Student newspapers at other U.S. campuses also have their problems. Last year we had a few of our own on the Kansan.
BUT WHEN IT comes to iron-handed, "thou shalt not publish" administrative pressure — there's just none of it for the Kansan. Complaints we get. Sometimes we feel like disconnecting the phone, wearing ski masks on campus, or buying a one-way ticket to Samoa, but life is usually bearable. And, after all, journalists are expected to have ulcers and nervous breakdowns.
This semester there have been rumblings of discontent about misquotes, poor coverage and a "left-wing" editorial page. Still, the Kansan has managed to win a few awards and if you think we're liberal, may we recommend the Minnesota Daily, the Colorado Daily, the Daily Nebraskan, the University of Washington Daily, the West Virginia Daily Athenaeum, the Penn State Daily Collegian and the Daily Texan for light reading.
BUT IF YOU DO have valid complaints about the paper, come out of the bushes. We only hear second-hand the gritching that goes on in Dean's Council, the ASC and bull sessions. You should at least have the nerve to gripe to our faces.
May I recommend one of three courses of action for those who faunch and scream about the Kansan;
(1) If you think our facts are wrong, gather your facts and references and bring them to us.
(2) If you disagree with our opinions, write a letter to the editor stating your stand and why you feel our conclusions are wrong.
(3) If you can't justify your complaints by one of the two above methods, flake off.
—Jacke Thayer
university forum
Stop dabbling in Nigerian politics
My attention has been called to the article in the maiden issue of the KU African—a monthly publication about Africa and African students. The article, titled "Nigeria: Notes, Comments and Observation," was purported to have been written by M. Makau, an African student at KU.
IN HIS ARTICLE, Mr. Makau advances as one of the reasons for the Balewa regime's unpopularity was that it was "pro United States." Mr. Makau should be informed that the overthrow of the Balewa government had nothing to do with the external affairs of the country. Nigeria, while upholding its non-alignment policy must reciprocate friendship for friendship.
If the United States government and people are friendly to
the Nigerian government and its people, there is no reason why we should be unfriendly to the U.S. This was not a crime levelled at Balewa by Nigerians, but by Mr. Makau.
MR. MAKAU adds, "to be pro any bloc outside Africa is the cardinal sin for any African regime." What about those countries that recruit "technicians" and advisors from Russia and Red China? How am I sure Mr. Makau's home country is not one of them?
Neither the American government nor the American people condemn the new Nigerian regime. The U.S. government was one of the earliest to accord recognition to the new Nigerian military government.
IF MR. MAKAU—whoever he is—understands democracy
"Know a better way to get rid of a rat?"
—Illustration by Richard Geary
as the government of the people, by the people and for the people, then he will realize that the present military government of Nigeria is truly democratic. The handover of power to the military was voluntary and has been popularly accepted by the people of Nigeria. All political parties in the country have similarly acclaimed the transfer. Natural rulers, religious leaders, trade unions, students and other voluntary organizations have sent messages of congratulations to the military government. The Nigerian students at KU are in support of the military government.
IS IT NOT surprising then that Mr. Makau should leave all about his country and in a camouflage use Nigeria as a footstand to attack the U.S. government and people? Probably there are more troubles in Makau's home country than there were or are in Nigeria. Mr. Makau should be better advised to heed the biblical advice and remove the beam in his own eyes before attempting to remove the sand in his neighbor's eyes.
About the external affairs, the military government of Nigeria had this to say:
- That it is desirous of maintaining existing diplomatic relations with other states:
- That it is its intention to honor all financial agreements and obligations entered into by the previous government;
- That it is its intention to honor all treaty obligations entered into by the previous government;
- That it welcomes all honest and genuine businessmen who are prepared to invest in the country in mutually beneficial projects, and;
- That it reaffirms the assurance given by the previous government that there are no plans to nationalize industries
2
Daily Kansan editorial page Friday, March 18, 1966
and that there should be no doubt in the minds of entrepreneurs that Nigeria will provide adequate compensation in the event of any industry being nationalized in the future.
In a concluding remark made by the military government in Lagos on January 23, it said, "The military government wishes to assure all friendly states that its foreign policy will continue to be based on non-alignment, respect for sovereignty of all states and friendly relations with all countries."
I AM ASSURING all good people that the Nigerian military government will continue to be the showcase of democracy in Africa for which Nigeria has been known.
A word of advice to Mr. Makau and the board of directors of the KU African: A good study of this first issue of your paper labels it anti-American. The articles were packed full of words all calculated to attack the American government and its people. The articles manifest more heat than light. The U.S. is no utopia and has its faults. These can be legitimately criticized but you have to know them before you criticize. Right is right when we use it right. To be sure, everyone is entitled to his opinion, but please, fellow Africans, let our opinions be intelligent ones. Let the African drum be more friendly!
— H. Oziri Ubamadu Nigerian student
SPU won't 'ignore' rally
To the editor:
I wish to correct the impression that the KU Student Peace Union is going to "ignore" the rally against the war in Viet Nam next weekend in Kansas City.
It is true that SPU, as an organization, has not lent its support to the rally, but this is for two reasons. First, we believe that such an action would be superfluous in so far as the Viet Nam Committee was created precisely to co-ordinate and sponsor such events.
Second, the third-camp position which SPU maintains is such that we condemn the warring parties on both sides. We condemn equally the revolu-
monary tactics of guerrilla warfare as well as the military aggression perpetuated by the United States, Korea and Australia. Thus we are hesitant to "officially" sponsor a march which may attract elements that we cannot rightly support. However, we have urged our members to participate in the rally as individuals if they so wish.
SPU is also planning activities of its own in conjunction with the International Days of Protest, and we will be distributing educational material on conscientious objection and the draft to interested students.
—Dean Abel
President, KUSPU
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