The editor of UPEI's campus newspaper wants to break away from the student union.
'The fact that that there are very stringent rules in what I put in my paper is just kind of baffling.'— Cadre editor Kate McKenna
The Cadre has always been owned by the student union, but the editor is pushing to change that. Kate McKenna told CBC News Friday part of the monthly paper's mission is to hold the student union accountable.
"I feel like that kind of takes away from the credibility of the paper, the fact we're reporting on the body that has direct influence over us. There are some problems there," said McKenna.
The Student Union collects fees from students every year and uses a portion to pay the newspaper's staff and costs. As part of the arrangement, the union's executive has final say over content in the paper.
McKenna said while content that's critical of the union hasn't been removed, she still thinks the union's executive has too much influence. For example, she was recently fined $10 for writing an editorial that encouraged people to vote a certain way in a campus referendum.
Student union rules state employees can't try to sway votes.
"The fact that that there are very stringent rules in what I put in my paper is just kind of baffling from a free speech perspective, especially when it's put in place by the body that we're reporting on," said McKenna.
McKenna believes it's time for The Cadre to cut ties with the student union. She wants the paper to start collecting a fee directly from students, and is researching ways that might work. About half of Canadian university newspapers have already made this change.
Representatives of the student union said they would support the move if McKenna came up with a viable plan.
