Stetson University: Viewpoint-Based Censorship of Student Magazine
Stetson University found itself involved in a FIRE case in November of 2005, when it censored a student publication based on the view-points expressed. While the case remains unresolved, FIRE press releases and the media expressed their concerns with what then-FIRE President David French referred to as, "Orwellian policies." The censorship of the campus publication, Common Sense, surrounded a joke that Jay Leno made on his television program The Tonight Show.
- "Stetson University Outlaws Jay Leno," December 8, 2005: Stetson University has announced that parody, “derogatory” or “demeaning” comments, and even jokes from The Tonight Show are out of bounds for its students. Stetson’s chilling declarations came after FIRE protested the private Florida university’s censorship of a student magazine.
- "Letter from Stetson University Attorney Mark G. Alexander to FIRE, November 21, 2005," November 21, 2005
- "FIRE Letter to Stetson University President H. Douglas Lee, November 2, 2005," November 2, 2005
- "Letter from Stetson University Senior Vice President James Beasley to 'Common Sense' Editor Frank Ganz, October 31, 2005," October 31, 2005
- "E-mail from Stetson University Cross Cultural Center Director Shelley Wilson to 'Common Sense' Advertiser, October 12, 2005," October 12, 2005
- "Jay Leno Joke from Stetson University Student Magazine 'Common Sense'," October 1, 2005:
- "Parody from Stetson University Student Magazine 'Common Sense'," October 1, 2005
- "Associated Press Article on Previous Case of Student Press Censorship at Stetson University, April 12, 2003," April 12, 2003:
Case Materials
- "Florida university censors magazine for Jay Leno joke,"
by Ricky Ribeiro, Student Press Law Center, January 25, 2006 - "Stetson shuts its mind to press freedom,"
by Mike Lafferty, Orlando Sentinel, December 23, 2005