East Carolina University: Student Newspaper Adviser Fired After Publication of Streaker Photo

On November 8, 2011, independent student newspaper The East Carolinian published an uncensored photo of a streaker at an East Carolina University (ECU) football game. A university administrator warned The East Carolinian's editor in chief that the newspaper would "face consequences" for the decision to run the photo. On January 4, 2012, ECU fired Paul Isom, the newspaper's adviser. On January 6, FIRE warned ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard that by firing Isom in retaliation for the newspaper's editorial decision, ECU had violated the free speech rights of its students. On April 20, 2012, Isom and ECU released a joint statement announcing that Isom would receive a $31,200 settlement from ECU and acknowledging that Isom was not fired for cause.

Case Materials

• "Free Speech Victory at East Carolina University: $31,200 Settlement for Newspaper Advisor," April 23, 2012: In a victory for freedom of the press, East Carolina University has agreed to pay former student newspaper advisor Paul Isom $31,200 after firing him because the newspaper printed photos of a streaker. FIRE worked with Isom in defense of free speech.
• "Letter from East Carolina University Attorney Donna Payne to FIRE, January 30, 2012," February 14, 2012
• "Letter from Student Press Law Center to East Carolina University Chancellor Steve Ballard, January 9, 2012," January 11, 2012
• "Letter from National Press Photographers Association to ECU Chancellor Steve Ballard, January 12, 2012," January 11, 2012
• "Letter from FIRE to East Carolina University Chancellor Steve Ballard, January 6, 2012," January 6, 2012

Blog Entries

• "Free Speech Victory at East Carolina University: $31,200 Settlement for Newspaper Advisor," by Adam Kissel, April 23, 2012: In a victory for freedom of the press, East Carolina University (ECU) has agreed to pay former student newspaper advisor Paul Isom $31,200 after firing him because the newspaper printed photos of a streaker. FIRE had worked with Isom to defend free speech on campus. 
• "Weeks Later, No Answers from East Carolina University on Firing of Newspaper Advisor," by Peter Bonilla, February 15, 2012
• "Media Hammers East Carolina University for Adviser’s Firing," by William Creeley, January 20, 2012
• "East Carolina University Digs Deeper Hole with Second Public Statement in 2 Days," by Adam Kissel, January 12, 2012
• "East Carolina University’s Pitiful Statement About Firing Advisor," by Adam Kissel, January 11, 2012
• "National Press Photographers Association Criticizes ECU Firing of Newspaper Adviser," by Peter Bonilla, January 11, 2012
• "Firing of ECU Media Adviser Sparks Widespread Response," by Lyzi Diamond, January 10, 2012
• "FIRE Intervenes after East Carolina University Fires Newspaper’s Adviser over Streaker Photo," by Adam Kissel, January 9, 2012
• "Following Publication of Streaker Photos, Student Newspaper Adviser Fired ," by Jaclyn Hall, January 6, 2012

Media Coverage

• "East Carolina fires student media director in wake of campus newspaper streaker photos,"
  by Dan Reimold, USA TODAY , January 17, 2012
• "ECU asks for OK to release firing details,"
  by Jane Stancill, News Observer, January 12, 2012
• "ECU: Firing is ‘correct and legal’,"
  by Jackie Drake, The Reflector, January 11, 2012
• "East Carolinian Editor-in-Chief speaks on the firing of school’s media adviser (exclusive),"
  by Carlton Purvis, Death and Taxes Magazine, January 11, 2012
• "ECU defends firing of newspaper adviser,"
  by Jane Stancill, News Observer, January 11, 2012
• "Groups challenge adviser's firing,"
  by Jackie Drake, The Reflector, January 10, 2012
• "ECU Says Adviser Firing Not First Amendment Issue,"
  WITN News, January 10, 2012
• "Update: Fight to reinstate former adviser to The East Carolinian heats up,"
  Eyewitness News, January 9, 2012