New Englanders, Here Are Five Student-Run Publications To Support Free Speech On Our Campuses

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 13:55 GMT by Her Campus

New England’s Student Voices: Five Publications Championing Free Speech on Campus

Across the New England region, a growing number of student‑run publications are taking a stand for the right to speak openly on campus. The recent feature in HER Campus highlighted five such outlets, all of which are operated by students, for students, and are committed to fostering robust debate, protecting minority perspectives, and ensuring that the free‑speech tradition remains alive in higher education.

1. The Harvard Crimson – Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

The Harvard Crimson is one of the oldest daily student newspapers in the United States, established in 1873. The 2024‑2025 edition of the HER Campus article points out that the Crimson has consistently served as a platform where dissenting opinions are voiced without fear of institutional reprisal. On its website, the paper’s editorial team outlines a “Free Speech Charter” that emphasizes editorial independence and safeguards against administrative censorship. The Crimson regularly publishes pieces on controversial topics—from campus policing to political correctness—often inviting guest columnists from across the political spectrum.

2. The MIT News – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

The MIT News functions as the official outlet for the MIT community but is wholly student‑edited. The HER Campus feature notes that the news site was founded in 1979 and has a tradition of covering topics that other outlets might sidestep. By publishing student‑authored op‑eds, investigative reports, and campus‑wide polls, the MIT News has become a safe space for challenging prevailing narratives. The site’s “Free Speech Initiative” section details initiatives such as open forums where students can discuss free‑speech violations and the steps the paper takes to maintain neutrality in its reporting.

3. The Brown Daily Herald – Brown University, Providence, RI

Founded in 1898, the Brown Daily Herald has long been a staple of campus journalism. The HER Campus article highlights that the Herald frequently covers student activism, policy debates, and controversies surrounding campus speech events. On its website, the publication showcases a “Student‑Free‑Speech Handbook” that outlines guidelines for publishing content that may be considered provocative. The handbook encourages students to challenge institutional policies through well‑researched articles while ensuring editorial oversight remains transparent and accountable.

4. The Vermont Campus – University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

The Vermont Campus is the largest independent student newspaper in Vermont and has been in operation since 1906. The HER Campus piece underscores that the paper has a reputation for fearless reporting and for giving a voice to marginalized groups. The Campus website includes a “Free‑Speech Statement” that emphasizes the newspaper’s commitment to unbiased coverage, the protection of whistle‑blowers, and the promotion of dialogue across ideological divides. Recent stories on the site have tackled issues such as campus diversity initiatives, faculty tenure disputes, and the ethics of campus surveillance.

5. The New Hampshire Free Press – University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

The New Hampshire Free Press is a newer addition to the region’s student‑run media landscape but has quickly become a cornerstone for free‑speech advocacy. Established in 2015, the paper’s editorial line is explicitly “free‑speech‑first.” According to the HER Campus article, the Free Press hosts monthly “Free‑Speech Forums” that bring together students, faculty, and alumni to discuss recent campus incidents. On its website, the Free Press details a “Code of Conduct for Freedom of Expression” that outlines the paper’s refusal to publish content that the editors deem a threat to campus safety while still encouraging the exploration of difficult topics.

How These Publications Support Free Speech

All five publications share a common mission: to provide a platform for voices that might otherwise be silenced. The HER Campus article emphasizes the importance of editorial independence in the digital age, where university administrations can sometimes pressure student media to self‑censor. Each outlet employs unique mechanisms to guard against such influence:

1. Editorial Independence Commitments – The Harvard Crimson and MIT News have formal charters that explicitly state editorial autonomy.
2. Transparency in Editorial Policies – The Brown Daily Herald and Vermont Campus publish clear guidelines on how content is vetted, ensuring readers know the decision‑making process.
3. Student‑Led Governance – The New Hampshire Free Press is managed by a student board that holds the ultimate decision‑making authority over content.
4. Free‑Speech Education – Many of these outlets run workshops or webinars on media ethics and the importance of free speech, often in partnership with campus free‑speech societies or law schools.

These measures create a protective environment where students can push the boundaries of discussion without fear of punitive backlash from the institution. In turn, the publications become catalysts for campus‑wide conversations, fostering a culture where diverse opinions are not only tolerated but actively encouraged.

A Look at the Future

The HER Campus feature also touched on how these outlets are adapting to changing media landscapes. Digital-first strategies are being employed: the MIT News leverages multimedia storytelling; the Brown Daily Herald is experimenting with podcasting; the Vermont Campus is expanding into social‑media live‑streams to engage a broader audience. Each outlet also collaborates with regional and national student journalism networks to share best practices for upholding free‑speech principles in an era of increasing political polarization.

Bottom Line

The five student‑run publications highlighted in the HER Campus article demonstrate that New England colleges are not merely sites of academic pursuit; they are also crucibles of democratic discourse. By protecting free speech, fostering transparency, and encouraging student participation, these outlets ensure that campus debate remains vibrant, inclusive, and resilient. Whether through daily print, online blogs, or interactive forums, they collectively affirm the enduring truth that the freedom to speak—within responsible limits—is a foundational pillar of higher education.