Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: University Marketing Conditions Access, Slams Student Newspaper

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Director of Communications Nicole Franklin sat in on multiple interviews between The Alestle and university staff in July 2026. When an Alestle student journalist attempted to coordinate an interview without Franklin’s presence, she responded that her presence was “non-negotiable” and “approval of the interview is ultimately [her] decision.” After The Alestle reported on Franklin’s mandated presence, University Marketing and Communications Executive Director Paula Bridges emailed the university community on July 27, criticizing The Alestle, denying that the department engaged in censorship, and demanding a retraction of the newspaper’s recent reporting about Franklin. On August 12, FIRE’s Student Press Freedom Initiative and the Student Press Law Center wrote Bridges, calling for the department to end its media-minder practice and to meet with a representative of the free press organizations and The Alestle.