(L to R: Bev Rogers, Greg Dyke (chair), Harriet Gibson and Chris Wall)
Any attempts to cut student media funding risks a row, campus newspapers signalled last night.
Nouse and York Vision blasted any potential move to slash funding in their budgets at the YUSU Election debate chaired by Chancellor Greg Dyke.
They asked: “How can you justify cutting York’s student media when we have the strongest in the UK?”
The question was raised following speeches from Student Activities Officer candidates Bev Rogers, Chris Wall and Harriet Gibson which included greater fairness for society funding.
The office-seekers were backed by some members of the University who wanted to see volunteering societies funded more impartially and in-line with that of student newspapers.
But campus media alumni took to Twitter to express their concerns over any potential cash cutting proposal which they say could jeopardise journalistic opportunities.
The former deputy political editor of Nouse, Hussein Kesvani, tweeted: “As a @yorknouse alumni, student media basically let me pursue media career. Cutting funding would kill opportunity.”
And Henry Foy, a former editor of Nouse, who now works for the Financial Times, added: “Word. RT @YorkVision: Audience member quick to point out that we have the best student media in the country #preach.”
Student media grants are among the largest in the student union societies.
They are used to pay for printing costs, website maintenance and general media upkeep such as new cameras and computing software.
The debate involving funding took place at the Roger Kirk Centre on Monday where candidates spoke for the first time following the opening of campaigning week.
Voters will go to the polls in Week 8 to decide their YUSU team for 2014.
The results will be announced on Friday 28 February.