The lefty student government at a local California university rejected a proposal that would grant its student body free subscriptions to The New York Times, citing issues with how The Times covered major world-happenings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe New York Times has historically been a little bit problematic and controversial in their reporting and in their journalism,\u201d student official Alya Hassan, who voted against the proposal, told the Fresno Bee<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hassan referenced its coverage of Israel and Gaza as one example, adding the organization lacked journalistic integrity for avoiding words like genocide, ethnic cleansing and occupied territory in its reporting.<\/p>\n Fresno state students rejected the proposal to fund free NYT subscriptions. Shutterstock \/ Lori Butcher<\/p>\n The paper has faced backlash and criticism regarding its coverage of the Israel-Gaza war, with critics from multiple sides accusing it of bias.<\/p>\n The proposal at its Feb. 18 meeting \u2014 first reported by The Collegian, the student-run paper \u2014 would have provided free subscriptions at a cost of $15,705<\/a> to the student government. The motion failed in a majority vote after a 30-minute debate, the Bee reported.<\/p>\n The proposal was written and put forth by another Fresno State student, Sarah Sevy, after conversations with supporters.<\/p>\n \u201cI had students say \u2018oh I love the cooking,\u2019 or \u2018oh I love the Wordle,\u2019 or \u2018man that would be really handy when my professor says we have to use this article, and it\u2019s behind a paywall,\u2019\u201d Sevy told the Bee.<\/p>\n NYT said they have over 45 pulitzer prize winners. Getty Images<\/p>\n Hassan said there was no clear demand for the free subscriptions and also questioned how it might be perceived.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we were to fund this using student fees, we would essentially be endorsing the New York Times editorial positions and their narratives and that\u2019s where my hesitation comes in,\u201d Hassan said.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> The opposition from the student government came even after a New York Times representative told students the paper provides free access to colleges across the country, including Harvard, UC Berkeley, USC, NYU and UC San Diego.<\/p>\n \u201cAs far as our editorial process, I have no comment on that, it\u2019s not my side of the business,\u201d Todd Halvorson said. \u201cAll I can reflect is, you know, we have 145 Pulitzer Prizes. More than any other news organization.\u201d<\/p>\n The organization has faced backlash over its Israel-Gaza war coverage. Getty Images<\/p>\n About 25% of students with free access actively use their subscription, according to Halvorson.<\/p>\n Fresno State students, faculty and staff currently have free digital access to The Wall Street Journal through a partnership with the Fresno State Library.<\/p>\n Sevy argued the cost would amount to just 67 cents per student in fees \u2014 far less than what individuals would pay for a standalone subscription \u2014 and said access to credible journalism is increasingly important nationwide.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s irresponsible considering some of the other things we spend student fees on,\u201d Sevy told the Bee. \u201cLike, do we need tailgates? We still do them because they are fun and they provide a good quality experience to students on campus.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>
<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n