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Student media is an integral part of the higher educational setting. Middle Tennessee State University boasts a student newspaper, a student radio and a student TV station and more, but one of those media programs recently was yanked from the public eye to fix “technical glitches” and policy misunderstandings.

Student television station MTTV-10 no longer will broadcast shows other than the news and specials, according to the station’s adviser Bob Pondillo. Pondillo cited persistent technical problems as the main reason for the decision to cancel programming — problems such as a problematic tape deck and certain shows “not up to broadcast quality.”

If the major problem is failing equipment, the solution is simple: Fix things. But if the problem is students not having what it takes to produce a good-looking show, the situation becomes a little stickier.

Pondillo also said some of the shows weren’t broadcast-worthy. This is no surprise considering the vast majority of students producing TV shows are amateurs just learning the basics. So should those students, who might be learning the ropes, be punished for non-perfect, boring or controversial shows?

Since when are administrators allowed to decide a student medium is not up to par, therefore not worthy of air time? It smacks of censorship — something positively evil but all-too-present on college campuses.

Station Manager Terra Grant said one or more shows may have violated constitutional guidelines involving religion.

Regardless of the content of any one show, all students producing shows should not be punished for the actions of others. It seems a little juvenile to strip away all student shows instead of just the problematic ones.

When dealing with quality, if the shows consistently don’t cut it, get rid of them and showcase ones that do. But don’t completely strip students the right to create television shows and gain valuable experience.

It is currently unclear if programming will resume. Hopefully, Channel 10 will get their bearings back, come back strong and represent what MTSU’s students are really capable of, without the hindrance of those who would rather not let students learn the business of television through direct experience.

This editorial comes from the Sidelines at Middle Tennessee State University.
This column was distributed by U-Wire.

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