UCO Faces Free Speech Allegations After Ending Print Edition of Century-Old Student Newspaper, The Vista

EDMOND, OK – The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) is under scrutiny from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) after the university ceased the print publication of its student newspaper, The Vista, and allegedly retaliated against student journalists. This move, which ended a 122-year tradition of print journalism at UCO, has sparked accusations of censorship and First Amendment violations.

Students Andrew Frazier and Ella Spurlock, whose initial joy at seeing their stories published in The Vista was "short-lived," according to FIRE, experienced direct consequences. Spurlock's investigative piece on the UCO Student Association's (UCOSA) finances, which questioned the president's control over student activity fees, was reportedly removed from The Vista's website after university staff and UCOSA leadership deemed it "defamation." Spurlock recounted, "Once you’ve had your story deleted, you know how easily the truth can just… vanish."

Despite a unanimous vote by the Student Media Advisory Board to fund The Vista's print schedule, UCO administrators overruled the decision, citing budget concerns and a move towards digital-only publication. FIRE, however, alleges that the university's actions are a "prior restraint on expression" and a form of viewpoint discrimination, directly linking the print ban to the newspaper's critical reporting. The advocacy group sent a letter to UCO President Todd Lamb, urging the university to restore editorial independence and lift the print ban.

UCO spokesperson Adrienne Nobles stated that The Vista "remains an independent publication in its new digital format with editorial agency over their content," adding that many college newspapers have made a similar digital shift. The current editor-in-chief of The Vista also expressed support for the digital transition, viewing it as an opportunity to reach the broader Edmond community and arguing that it allows for more student pay and writing opportunities.

In response to the university's actions, Frazier and other students launched The Independent View, a new student-run publication. Their inaugural edition featured a story on the cancellation of a play, "Boy My Greatness," which was reportedly halted by UCO administration due to concerns over Oklahoma's Senate Bill 796, a law restricting DEI programming. Frazier highlighted the broader implications, stating, "If they can pull a play hours before rehearsal, what can’t they pull?"