‘Let us practice journalism’: Students react to media restrictions on campus

Apr 19, 2022 | Campus News, News

With Humber administration meeting Tuesday afternoon to review how it applies its Temporary Use of Space policies to the work of journalism students, many in the program say it is affecting their program work.

The policy requires any journalism students wishing to film interviews on campus to apply for a permit by filling out a form up to 15-days in advance.

Joshua Drakes, a second-year Journalism student said that he has been “blocked, deflected, turned to different departments” while trying to cover stories at Humber.

Drakes went on to say “if I can’t do my own work at my own school that I pay money to go to, how can I expect to succeed in the real world if the safe environment I’m supposed to be able to learn in isn’t actually welcoming me.”

Chelsea Dowie, a first-year Journalism student said that these restrictions are going to affect her because “It’s definitely not gonna be the quality of education that I hoped for.”

Dowie had a message for Humber, “Please just let us learn. Let us practice journalism, the way journalists actually get to do it”

Ashima Agnihotri, a second-year Journalism student said “It’s going to be a big problem, especially for journalism students” when it comes to the restrictions for reporting on campus.

“As a journalism students, were supposed to report on matters as quickly as possible, but if a forum is going to act as a hindrance and not give us that opportunity to be able to cover topics and always needs for us to, you know, go out to the authorities and get a piece of paper, just to be able to report on the matters.”

Other students question whether they’re getting the education they’ve paid for. This infographic shows tuition costs for domestic and international students in the three-year advanced diploma program.

Infographic by Melike Hilal Gumus
Infographic by Melike Hilal Gumus.

Students in other programs also expressed sympathy.

Victoria Manna, a first-year Culinary student said that if she was faced similar restrictions in her program she “wouldn’t be able to study”

“I don’t know. I feel like I would go elsewhere. If I was restricted at this college, if I couldn’t study, it was too strict, you know, I’d be forced to go elsewhere. Maybe like a lower program.”

Angelo De Ausen and Manpreet Walia, high school students in the SWAC program at Humber explained how they would feel if they were faced with these restrictions

“What’s the point of school if you can’t study here? Working at home, it’s like, it’s for lazy and you don’t feel one of the features and you can hang out with friends and do all your work,” said Ausen.

“You know you will be able to do anything. That’s freedom. Everyone will be able to spread good things, publicly.” said Wiaila.