The Free Press (University of Southern Maine)

{{Infobox newspaper

| name = The Free Press

| image = Image:The Free Press USM.jpg

| caption = The Free Press, February 4, 2014

| type = Weekly student newspaper

| format = Tabloid

| foundation = 1972

| ceased publication =

| owners =

| editor =

| publisher =

| headquarters =
92 Bedford Street
Portland, Maine 04101

| website = {{URL|usmfreepress.org}}

}}

The Free Press is the official campus newspaper of the University of Southern Maine. It was first published in 1972. It publishes a print edition weekly during the academic year, equaling roughly 22 editions a year. The newspaper has a circulation of 3,000 and prior to 2023 published daily on its website.

History and organization

The Free Press was founded in 1972. It is an entirely student-run and student-funded newspaper not supported by an academic department. The university does not have a journalism program.{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Troy R. |date=2023-02-22 |title=These Maine college journalists let their website go dark to focus on print |url=http://www.bangordailynews.com/2023/02/22/news/portland/free-press-student-newspaper-print-joam40zk0w/ |access-date=2023-03-15 |website=Bangor Daily News |language=en-US}}

In 2012, the Free Press began a partnership with the Bangor Daily News to provide training, web hosting and development services for paper, as well as a content-sharing agreement aimed at promoting the best in student journalism in Maine.{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2012/04/09/news/portland/bdn-teams-up-with-usm-student-newspaper/?ref=latest|title=BDN teams up with USM student newspaper|website=Bangordailynews.com|accessdate=13 July 2018}}

In fall 2022, the newspaper made a decision to stop publishing online and updating its social media accounts. This decision was made because of lack of staff. Instead, the newspaper became a print-only newspaper.

Controversies

In 2001, the Free Press gained access to the campus police log despite opposition from the local police department.{{cite news|url=http://www.splc.org/news/report_detail.asp?id=771&edition=20|title=Maine newspaper gains access to police log|publisher=Student Press Law Center|accessdate=23 December 2011}}

In April 2002, the USM Student Senate sought to dissolve the Student Communications Board, which had been created as a buffer between the university and the paper to ensure funding to the organization. A referendum was held on whether to dissolve the board and it lost with 16% of the vote.{{cite news|url=http://www.splc.org/news/newsflash.asp?id=417|title=U. of Southern Maine newspaper wins vote to preserve financial independence - SPLC News Flashes|date=April 30, 2002|publisher=Student Press Law Center|accessdate=23 December 2011}}

Awards

In 2000, the newspaper was ranked third in their region for "Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper Newspaper", while writer Steve Peoples was ranked for "General News Reporting" for his story, "Students' Voting Rights in Jeopardy".{{cite web|url=http://www.spj.org/moe00r1.asp|title=Society of Professional Journalists. Mark of Excellence Awards 2000|website=Spj.org|accessdate=23 December 2011}} In 2002, several students involved with the newspaper won recognition by the Society of Professional Journalists for their region, including the top awards for Spot News Photography and General News Photography.{{cite web|url=http://www.spj.org/moe02r1.asp|title=Society of Professional Journalists, Mark of Excellence Awards 2002|website=Spj.org|accessdate=23 December 2011}}

References

External links

[http://usmfreepress.org/ Official website]

Category:University of Southern Maine

Category:Student newspapers published in Maine

Free Press

Category:Newspapers established in 1972

Category:1972 establishments in Maine