7th Circuit Ruling Still Pending in Hosty v. Carter

Those interested in the rights of student journalists anxiously await the 7th Circuit’s ruling in Hosty v. Carter, a case argued January 8, 2004. The University in Hosty claims the right to practice prior review of its student newspaper, The Innovator, which has now been shut down. Governors State University Dean of Student Affairs Patricia Carter halted publication of the bimonthly paper in 2000 after it printed articles criticizing the university administration. The Managing Editor of the paper, Margaret Hosty, and two other students filed suit in federal district court charging First Amendment violations. In November 2001 the district court allowed the suit to proceed and in 2002 the university appealed, citing Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier. The 7th Circuit eventually found in favor of Hosty, April 10, 2003. However, in July 2003 the Illinois Attorney General, Lisa Madigan, successfully intervened on behalf of the University. The 7th Circuit vacated the April 10th decision and agreed to a re-hearing en banc. The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) has an informative page on the case on its website.