Murray State and Big Tobacco: A Perfect Union

Because of its nationally recognized agriculture program and its location in a prevalent farming community, Murray State has kept and continues to keep its ties close to Big Tobacco companies.

A corporate advertisement from L&M cigarettes in a 1947 edition of The College News (Currently The Murray State News). Photo Courtesy of Murray State University Special Collections and Archives.

Since opening its doors in 1922, Murray State (formerly known as Murray Normal School), has received heavy funding from tobacco companies, who look at the University as a promising source of agribusiness graduates.

According to a study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kentucky is the number one state in the nation for dark-fired tobacco production. Calloway County is the number one producer in Kentucky, producing over eight million pounds of tobacco each year.

Because many tobacco producers and future generations are Murray State alumni and students, the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company donated $35,000 for agriculture student scholarships.

Big Tobacco doesn’t only fund the University through scholarship programs. For decades, both The College News (currently known as The Murray State News), and The Shield (Murray State’s former yearbook), received the majority of their advertising revenue from tobacco companies. It was common to see corporate cigarette advertisements on every other page, with endorsements from celebrities like Ronald Reagan and doctors who touted the health benefits of smoking Camels.

The aggressive cigarette advertising waned in response to legislation like the Public Health Cigarette Smoking Act of 1969, which banned cigarette advertisements on most media outlets. Despite the ban, however, tobacco companies are largely responsible for the early development of Murray State’s student-run media organizations.

Another corporate advertisement from Camel cigarettes in a 1956 edition of The College News. Photo courtesy of Murray State University Special Collections and Archives.

The boom in cigarette advertising reached its peak from the late 1940s to 1970s. The spike in advertising was a response to the end of World War II, when cigarettes were in limited availability to non-soldiers. Alongside things like milk and bread, cigarettes were on the list of rations during war time.

The monetary relationship between tobacco companies and Murray State, despite its age, influences how the University constructs policies today.

The Murray State University Alumni Association lists Altria Group Inc. as one of its largest donors. Altria, formerly known as Phillip Morris, controls popular tobacco brands such as Marlboro, Skoal, L&M, Black & Mild and more.

Even though other Kentucky colleges like the University of Kentucky and The University of Louisville became smoke-free campuses in recent years, Murray State still remains a campus that allows tobacco products.

The final list of budget recommendations on the first draft of Murray State’s 2013 Budget Taskforce Subcommittee. Item No. 48, the incentive to make Murray State a Smoke-free campus, was removed in later drafts.

When President Tim Miller gave updates to students about the 2013 Budget Task Force Subcommittee, he provided documents containing the listed recommendations. Item No. 48 on the first drafted list of budget recommendations was to make Murray State a smoke-free campus.

When an updated list of budget recommendations was sent to students, the incentive to make Murray State smoke-free was removed. The reasons were unspecified, but this could have been done to prevent alienation of funding from tobacco companies.

A 2012 assessment from the National College of Health indicated the regular smokers make up 6 percent of Murray State’s student population.

Regardless of public opinion shifting against tobacco industries and products in recent decades, they are largely responsible for the financial livelihood of Murray State – specifically its agriculture program.

 

The slippery slope of “Press Enterprise”

As both a journalism and media law student, I’ve had the pleasure (and burden) of knowing my legal rights as a reporter. While some statutes in the favor of the reporter are crystal clear, there are a few with blurred lines. Excuse my Robin Thicke reference. 

The Press Enterprise I statute allows journalists to have access to any criminal trial. Seems fair enough, right? This is where it gets tricky. 

Courts can go against this statute and bar reporters from a criminal trial if they have “compelling reasons against it”. What are compelling reasons? Such examples could include protecting a witness giving testimony, protecting the identity of a juvenile, etc. The burden of proof is ultimately left to the judge. Like a fingerprint, no judge is the same. One judge may allow the MTV Real World crew to film the trial while another won’t let you bring a voice recorder. 

Technology has changed fields all across the professional board. We saw the very pores of Casey Anthony’s face when her trial was broadcasted on national television. We saw George Zimmerman’s shoulders collapse in relief the moment he heard “Not guilty”. While televising high-profile cases can be justified as integral and relevant journalism, it can also hurt more than it can help. 

Casey Anthony, accused of murdering her daughter, had her trial nationally televised in 2012. Photo courtesy of CNN.

Thanks to the media, Casey Anthony’s case and trial was one of large public interest. Finding a disinterested group of potential jurors took almost a year because everyone drew their own conclusions about her guilt before the trial even started. Proceedings are ideally swift, certain and severe, so sometimes the media stifles this. 

As a nation of people who fear public speaking more than jumping off the Empire State Building, the presence of television cameras in a courtroom can potentially change the outcome of a case. Public interest from a national audience creates nervousness, doubt and a decrease in confidence from witnesses and even lawyers. 

Juan Martinez, prosecuting attorney in the Jodi Arias murder trial, questions Arias on the stand. Photo courtesy of Brian Skoloff, Associated Press. 

While journalists and court officials typically find each other in a shoving match of ethics and exceptions, this is a time where both parties need to distinguish a middle ground. Are journalists damaging the outcome of a trial by televising it and influencing public opinion? Are judges fighting against the public’s right to information? This is a conversation worth having. 

In terms of law, black and white works better than any shade of gray. These statutes need to be broadened and generalized so they are understood by journalists and not abused by the justice system. Give us a legal definition of a “compelling reason,” and we’ll try our best to respect it.  

 

 

Winter Olympics: a Field Day for Media

Every Olympics signifies a new sense of secular competition, nationalism and slew of media coverage. It is common for the Olympics to carry a political backstory to explain rivalries between countries through the simplicity of sport.

Media coverage of the Winter Olympic games in the 80’s insisted the events also highlighted conflict between capitalist America and communist Russia…I’ll let you in on a secret. They were just playing hockey.

This year, media coverage of the Sochi Winter Olympic games arguably expresses the discontent of world democracies with Russia’s social stance on gay rights and the overall economic state of its people. I have complied a list of North American media-based implications of bias toward Russia, its culture and its stability as a nation.

1. Rainbow Everywhere!

A recent article by the Huffington Post highlights team Germany’s decision to compete in the Winter Olympics wearing rainbow uniforms and whether or not it was a statement against Russia’s anti-gay laws. Russia hasn’t been the most welcoming to homosexual visitors and citizens, promoting violence toward people who are openly gay as well as harsh legal penalty.Willy Bogel, designer of Germany’s winter uniforms, claims that this is not a sign of protest.

The fact that this was an angle implies that journalists are digging for conflict. Nobody wants to read a story about a uniform unless it takes a stab like this. There could be a story here, so it is a journalist’s instinct to run with it, despite sources declaring it was not to ruffle any feathers.

2. Journalists live tweeting of conditions in Sochi

Journalists are prolific Twitter-users, and they stayed glued to their phones when they were introduced to their new home for the next two weeks. Tweeted updates were given on the slightly hilarious accommodations provided by Sochi. Athletes and reporters were greeted by dilapidated hotel buildings, dirty rooms and unsanitary living conditions.

We found it funny that Russians enjoy community bathrooms and have no problem serving brown water to customers. However, the fact that we guffaw at this and make these conditions viral ignites a strong sense of American nationalism.

We see these pictures and laugh because we think good ole’ ‘Merica is way more fortunate.

We have our own stalls, warm water and a Bible conveniently located in every hotel room. It instills a sense of pride that our accommodations are far better than those offered in Sochi.

3. Putin is everywhere

A recent article by the New Yorker describes foreigners’ reactions to Sochi’s…platonic…totally not sexual…love for Russian President Vladmir Putin. Hotel guests complained about their hotel rooms and lobbies being adorned with shirtless pictures of Putin. Some depict him riding animals like bears.

To us, this campaign to promote confidence in Putin as a leader is laughable and embarrassing. To Russia, this is apparently normal propaganda. Making the cultural difference viral is another opportunity to compare and belittle Russian culture while supporting our own. Do we have pictures of Barack Obama shirtless doing a slam-dunk in our hotels? No. That’s ridiculous. The next best thing is to laugh at countries who do this with no shame.

Sociologists describe the phenomenon of ethnocentrism as a belief that one nation believes their culture is superior to the culture of other nations. Articles like this are a primary example of American ethnocentrism at work.

With that being said, Putin’s pictures are a lot better than the bikini shots of Kim Jong-un, which will be expected to decorate North Korean Department Stores this summer.

While we see simple coverage of simple sports, the Winter Olympics are a time for the Media to create and promote stories that we would have never believed were there.

The Future of the News as We Know it.

When I was asked what the future of mass media would shape itself to be, I honestly could say I felt hopeless. We live in a generation where attention spans are shortened, social media is our only network of research and newspapers are only used as materials for paper hats and to punish your dog for pooping on the carpet.

A physical source of news has been digitalized, aggregated and posted on the internet. Having the news at one’s fingertips diminishes any incentive to buy a newspaper or magazine. 

As if our news wasn’t already severely shortened by the dawn of online news, we had to cut it down even shorter. The second a twitter user reads a headline saying the gist of the story, that’s really all they need.Stories will lack depth and a sense of completion.

With the future of digital media, RSS feeds and reports that could be written from any smartphone, the idea of a traditional story at least a page long could be a thing of the past. 

The media is constantly in arms with itself about being the very first outlet to get a story released to the public. For this sake, quality is diminished, length is cut from the feet up and it’s common to see most publications shooting themselves in the foot for sacrificing good research for a quick story. 

We’ll get our news at speeds nobody has ever imagined, but is that really worth a story that’s not quality? That should be a question the media should ask themselves when considering new ideas for the future. 

All Eyes on Zay

The community of Murray is at a great divide following the final sentencing of sophomore guard Zay Jackson announced Friday.

The basketball player pleaded guilty to two counts of wanton endangerment, receiving a sentence of 30 days in jail (only served on weekends) a mandatory anger management class, restitution payments and a letter of apology to the two victims, Jason and Alia Clement.

Murray State Athletic Director Allen Ward said Jackson’s sentencing was fair and he will be able to play for the Racers this season as a short suspension from all activities.

“I know he wasn’t given any special treatment,” he said. “He was treated just like any other student would be that got in a situation like this,”

However, residents, students and even fans said they are skeptical of the light punishment. In a campus voice article published by the Murray State News, the sentencing was no more than a slap on the wrist.

The victims are also speaking out in anger, saying Jackson deserves a harsh punishment for the damage he caused.

Jason said his arm was slammed at the time of the accident, giving him little mobility. He cannot afford proper medical care to address the injury.

Though it’s at the fault of the justice system if Jackson was let off too easy, it will easily fall back onto Murray State’s history. A scenario like this makes the university look like it’s trading professional integrity for a good basketball team.

For the love of the game.

Twitter Reacts jokingly, unfavorably about Presidential Debate.

After Twitter users sent a record 10.3 million tweets regarding the presidential debate, it wouldn’t be off to say the November election is in the hands of social networking.

Sifting through the Big Bird jokes and comments on Obama’s disconnected demeanor, Twitter users had a common complaint of what the candidates failed to discuss instead of focusing on what was discussed.

One topic the virtual audience argued should have been mentioned was women’s issues. Twitter user Rania Khalek tweeted: “Based on this debate, it’s as if women, immigrants, poor Americans and racial inequality don’t exist.”

Tweeters were disappointed at Governor Romney’s negligence to initiate a debate on women’s issues, seeing as he spent a portion of his campaign trying to win over the female vote in Ohio in late August.

Conducted by Jim Lehrer, the debate was ultimately controlled by a vigorous Romney, who cut off the soft spoken moderator. In an effort to always “get the last word in,” according to Romney, twitter users were amused at how malleable and passive Lehrer was about both candidates constantly talking over the allotted time.

Former Fox News Talk Show Host Andy Levy Tweeted: “President Obama’s “You’ve done a great job, Jim” was about as believable as his statements on Libya #debates.”

The most tweeted moment actually erupted when Lehrer interrupted Romney as the Republican tried to speak past his time limit.

“Let me mention the other one. Let’s talk-“ Romney said, before Lehrer cut him off.

“Let’s not.” The moderator said, causing Twitter feeds to explode.

Despite being rough-housed by Romney through the majority of the debate, being cut off, interrupted and ignored, Lehrer said he has no regrets moderating the debate, much to the surprise of Twitter users who felt somewhat sorry for him.

While the general consensus of the social networkers was disappointed and amused by the 2012 debate, the instant analysis caused the winner of the debate to be determined earlier than ever.

According to the Washington Post, Romney’s aggressive and pushy debate style put out President Obama, who stayed on the defense the majority of the debate.

UK Takes the Cake

 

 

Winning their eighth national title in the school’s history, the 2011-2012 Kentucky Wildcats basketball team is the subject of pride and celebration in the bluegrass state.

The 67-59 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks made the Wildcats the NCAA Champions for the first time since 1998, but many predicted this two years ago when Head Coach John Calipari made his coaching debut at Kentucky.

Even those unfamiliar with the basketball world can tell you they’ve at least heard of John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, who went straight to the NBA after finishing their freshman season with Calipari.

There’s many reasons it was now and not then. It’s not strategically sound to have the entire success of a team focus on two players. As much as we like to think otherwise, they are humans who get tired.

Another reason is the bandwagon effect. When a team does well, people hear about it. Many of Kentucky’s roster hails from cities as far as New York and beyond. Freshman forward Anthony Davis is from Chicago, and most people wouldn’t think twice about our very own Lexington unless great things are in store.

I explain how a team that shoots for 41 percent in the paint earns a national title, but it just so happened it was in the cards. The big blue nation now has every right to back up their ‘bow to the brow’ swagger.

 

 

Murray State Continues to Surprise the Nation.

Winning the Ohio Valley Conference tournament with a last second layup by senior guard Jewaun Long, Murray State officially locked their position in the big dance.

It’s typical to see a mid-major school step up in the tournament to shock everyone. In 2010, it was Butler when they made it to the finals before losing to Duke. However, the Racers were starting a buzz on a national level from the get go. People knew about their seemingly impossible success rate before tournament time was even mentioned.

It’s a great moment when a small community like Murray accomplishes big things. When the Racers went to the OVC tournament in Nashville, Tenn. they were followed by almost six thousand fans. The fan turnout made it the second largest attendance for a neutral game in the Municipal Auditorium’s history (The first being in 1993, when Tennessee State beat Murray State for the OVC title).

Tennessee State, with their campus being 10 minutes from where the tournament is held, had roughly two thousand Tiger fans attend.

It just goes to show how cohesive and supportive of a community Murray can be.

It’s too soon to assume how well they will do, but it’s a nice change of pace to see schools like Murray State potentially competing with the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Kentucky or Kansas.

No matter if they make it to the elite eight or lose in the first round, this Racer basketball season will be in the Murray State history books as the best basketball season in program history. 

The Murray State Racers pose for the press after being announced the OVC champions. Photo taken by Carly Besser