Fanshawe Student Union moves to shutter student paper, but some students are fighting back

The Fanshawe Student Union (FSU) is shuttering the college's student newspaper, marking the end of a roughly five-decade run of independent student journalism at the school.

The Interrobang, which employs close to a dozen students in the pursuit of news coverage focused on Fanshawe College, will shut down both its print operation and its website after circulating its final issue on Apr. 4, according to the FSU.

"There were several factors considered, and the situation was not taken lightly," said Siddharth Singh, the FSU's president. "It was not to save money, but rather to allocate the resources toward [other initiatives.]"

Singh was unable to tell CBC News exactly how much money is allocated to The Interrobang annually, however he estimated a figure of roughly $250,000.

Singh claimed the move was not a cost-cutting measure, however he said he wants to see that money go elsewhere, to:

• The expansion of the class representative program from 163 representatives to 600.
• The creation of a new full-time position, an "Advocacy and Governance Coordinator," with a salary range of $60,000 to $75,000.
• Using the skills of the reporters and editors to create social media content for the FSU.

According to Singh, the decision, made unanimously by three student executives and eight student board of directors members, is based on declining readership online and a perceived decline in students picking up the physical paper.

That's not the whole picture, said Hannah Theodore, The Interrobang's editor.

She said while a ban on Canadian news on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram resulted in an online readership dip of about 50 per cent, circulation of the paper itself is growing year-over-year.

The number of students picking up the paper bi-weekly went up from an average of 1,580 in 2022/23, to an average of 1,740 last year.

In September, CBC London reported that the campus newspaper saw an average 87 per cent pickup rate during the 2023-2024 school year.

Theodore said the FSU's decision is saddening.

"I think it's still sinking in for me that this is what's happening. I've worked here for six years now in some capacity. This is my fourth year in the editor job," she said. "I'm moved by some of the efforts that I'm seeing from students who are trying to do something about it."

Students push back

Those students are seeking support for a petition asking for a referendum to decide the paper's fate. They say adding a levy of $2 per student would allow The Interrobang to operate independently of the FSU budget.

The petition has already received nearly 200 signatures online, and more in person.

Some students that signed the petition told CBC News they found the paper invaluable.

"It's something super important here at Fanshawe, and they just want to cut it out entirely," said student Lucas Dobson. "It keeps students informed here at Fanshawe. The current edition that's out right now is about the job search, which is super important."

Singh said if the petition gathers enough signatures, the FSU will "consider running a referendum." 

Briar Wilson, an Interrobang reporter who was collecting signatures on Friday, said the fight will continue. 

"This is a student run program, so students should be the number one voice behind [the decision] to shut it down or keep it going," she said.

She also expressed concern over the idea to reallocate reporter salaries to social media content creation that promotes the FSU.

"As much as it is important for [the FSU] to have their voice shared, the student paper is an objective observer. We are a part of a democracy and it's our job to tell you the truth" Wilson said.

"We can't do that if we're in social media marketing positions where we are catering to certain people."

Andrew Mrozowski, the president of the Canadian University Press, said the FSU's decision was made, unfairly, without student consultation.

His statement questioned the idea that the move isn't intended to cut costs.

"At a time when independent journalism is under threat, and when the impact of Bill C-18 has already hindered the ability of student newspapers to reach their audiences, this decision only further weakens the state of student media in Canada," Mrozowski said.

While some students fight for the Interrobang's future, Theodore is making plans for its final issue next month.

It'll be a tribute to five decades in print, including contributions from past reporters and personal reflections from the current team, Theodore said.

"It'll be sad, but it'll also be a celebration."