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PULLED: LS removed from shelves

LS Editorial on attempted censure

On Friday April 30, the freedom of this paper came under threat.

The freedom of speech, from ideology, from the establishment, and from mainstream media, has upheld Leeds Student throughout its 40-year history. It is a freedom that has allowed this paper to print interviews, articles and opinions that may not be liked, are sometimes disclaimed, and frequently bring fierce debate.

Jak Codd, Communications and Internal Officer, used his perceived power as a senior  member of the student executive to remove all issues of Leeds Student  from the stands  in the  Leeds University Union. Codd believed an interview with Palestinian journalist Sameh Habeeb to be anti-Semitic.  This belief surrounds a comment Habeeb made about Israeli influence on the media.

In the article, interviewer Laura MacKenzie asked Habeeb: “Do you believe mainstream news organisations to have a hidden agenda?”

He replied: “They are certainly pro-Israeli. I think you have to ask yourself who controls the media.”

Mr Habeeb's answer is open to several interpretations: “Media control” could mean ownership, editorial stance or whether or not journalists have - or are allowed -… Continue reading...