Proud former IDS staffer reacts to ‘off-the-record’

As an IU and IDS alumna, I am extremely proud of Editor-in-Chief Carrie Ritchie’s firm response to the “off-the-record” request by the Student Alliance for National Security during Meghan O’Sullivan’s speech. It was outrageous for O’Sullivan and the student group to ask for a public lecture not to be reported in the press. How would people who are unable to attend such lectures due to prior engagements, disabilities, lack of transportation or for any other reason learn about what was said? Reporting the details of these events reflects a core journalistic principle: telling people in this community what happened in a public space. The group’s eventual cancellation of the speech is a victory for the First Amendment, for student journalists and for the IDS. Former Student Media Director Dave Adams, too, would be proud.