14 News, The Tri-State's News and Weather Leader-USI "Shield": Drama Over Nude Photo

USI "Shield": Drama Over Nude Photo

New Media Producer: Kerry Corum

UPDATE, MON, 6:30 AM: University of Southern Indiana officials say someone stole nearly 2500 copies of the school's student newspaper, an edition that featured a photograph of two women in bed, one of them nude.

Journalism instructor Patricia Ferrier says almost all copies of The Shield were taken from newspaper racks on the Evansville campus late Wednesday night.

Another 2500 copies were printed Thursday, and Ferrier says the school increased security near newspaper racks.

But if you missed grabbing a copy, The Shield is also online and still offers the story in question.

The Shield managing editor Julie Hunter says whoever stole the newspapers brought more attention to the picture than it would have received otherwise.

The photograph was part of a story about the controversy the picture created when it was published in a campus magazine.

Reporter: Jonathan Hardison
New Media Producer: Rachel Chambliss

UPDATE, FRI 8:30 PM: A controversial photo leads to newspaper theft at USI.

Someone stole about 2,500 copies of the student newspaper after "The Shield" published a photo showing two, unclothed women in bed.

Published originally in a student literary magazine, this photo of two semi-nude women in bed was published this week in "The Shield," the student newspaper, and it's sparking discussions on whether this is art or porn.

Dana Taylor, USI sophomore, defends, "Art has no definition. It's really for whatever you think it is."

Andrea Arthur, USI sophomore, says, "Her hand went a little lower than what it should've been. If it had just been the top portion, it wouldn't have been a problem. But in porn magazines, you see the same thing."

Amber Gosch, USI freshman, states, "It's more porn in the paper. Maybe if it was on a canvas, it's more art or a photograph presented in the art."

Jondi Schmitt, "The Shield" editor, says, "I've always said if something like this would come along, I would run it. But I never imagined anything like this was going to happen here."

And Schmitt has already paid a price for running the picture. Someone stole all but 100 copies of this week's edition right after it hit the stands; then, e-mailed their protest.

"It basically said, 'Because of your absurd story and photos, I've taken the liberty of throwing away all the copies I could get a hold of and hope to get the rest,'" says Schmitt.

A reprinting is now in heavy circulation, but this picture is still inspiring more than a 1,000 words.

Arthur says, "I don't think it makes our campus look very good because it is a slap in the face."

Schmitt concludes, "It's a chance to say, 'Hey, we're here, and this is an issue. Censorship is wrong.'"

The College Republicans is the only campus group to openly protest the photo. The group's faculty sponsor declined our request for an interview.

The school administration says it considers this an exercise of First Amendment Rights and will leave publishing decisions up to the student editors.

New Media Producer: Kerry Corum

Previously: University of Southern Indiana officials say someone stole nearly 2500 copies of the school's student newspaper, an edition that featured a photograph of two women in bed, one of them nude.

Journalism instructor Patricia Ferrier says almost all copies of The Shield were taken from newspaper racks on the Evansville campus late Wednesday night.

Another 2500 copies were printed Thursday, and Ferrier says there's increased security near newspaper racks.

But if you missed grabbing a copy, The Shield is also online and still offers the story in question.

The Shield managing editor Julie Hunter says whoever stole the newspapers, brought more attention to the picture, than it would have received otherwise.

The photograph was part of a story about the controversy the picture created when it was published in a campus magazine.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.