DIY History | Transcribe | Campus Culture | University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970 | 1970-07-21 Daily Iowan Article: ""Iowa '70: A New Look at the Strike""

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University of Iowa anti-war protests, 1970

1970-07-21 Daily Iowan Article: ""Iowa '70: A New Look at the Strike""

DI 7/21/70 

Iowa '70: A New Look at the Strike. 

"Iowa, '70 - Riot, Rhetoric, Responsibility?" a booklet published by students in the School of Journalism's simulation program, attempts to interpret and clarify the Spring strike and related activities at the University. 
One of the four editors of the 48 page booklet, Jim Potter, A3, North Liberty said that the students' dissatisfaction with media coverage of activities at the university motivates them to publish the booklet. 
Potter pointed out that the students found most media coverage of the Spring activities here to be not only inaccurate but also irresponsible. 
He cited one television station's announcement on an evening news broadcast that Old Capitol was on fire as an example of journalistic irresponsibility. 
The station did not take into consideration the impact of reporting something such as that when it released that information." Potter stated. 
" Iowa '70" evolved out of a loosely-knit organization of journalism students who met during the strike to form a news bureau to report events for the wire services. 
Potter said the organization ultimately decided to publish a compilation of all their reports as a chronological record of what had happened here. 
The reports turned into the student news bureau were mostly interpretive, Potter continued, so students decided to incorporate explanations of events into the booklet. 
Students reporting for the news bureau chose as editors of the booklet: Potter; Terry Fruehling, A3 Keokuk; Libby Cameron, A3, Wilmette, Ill; and Eva Gail Rodes, A3 Marion. 
About 30 other journalism students volunteered to work as writers, photographers, typists and layout artists. 
The faculty and staff of the School of Journalism. Potter said provided materials for the project and answered students' questions. 
When plans for the booklet had been finalized, the School of Journalism faculty offered to give two hours of credit to all student participants. The faculty stipulated that the students would receive an A or F for their work on the booklet and that students would determine their own grades 
Potter said he felt that participants were highly motivated to turn out a superior product because they were working collectively toward a common useful goal. 
As one advantage student reporters had over most established media representatives. Potter cited the student reporters' ability to join a crowd of demonstrators without inhibiting them and without becoming conspicuous. 
" Iowa '70" contains a short chronological account of events from the first anti ROTC demonstration on April 18, through the Ecumenical Pentecost service here on May 17 at which student demonstrators picketed for peace. 
The reactions of various groups - businessmen, townspeople, students - to the strike and campus organizations during the strike are included in the booklet.
It also contains an account of the events leading up to and including the firing of Leona Durham as editor of The Daily Iowan, after the fact evaluations of the entire situation. 
Potter said he was pleased with the booklet. He added, however, that he regretted the lack of feedback publishers of the booklet have received from the public. 
He sent copies of the booklet to about 30 newspapers he said and has received no answers. 
Potter said he also sent copies of " Iowa '70" to some state and national political figures such as Senators Harold Hughes ( D- Iowa) Senator Jack Miller (R-Iowa) and State Senators Fances Messerly ( R-Cedar Falls) and Minntte Doderer ( D-Iowa City). Hughes was the only political figure to acknowledge receipt of the booklet, according to Potter. 
About 3,000 copies of the booklet were printed "iowa '70" is available at Iowa Book and Supply Company. Hawkeye Bookstore and the Union Activities Center.

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DI 7/21/70 Iowa '70: A New Look at the Strike. "Iowa, '70 - Riot, Rhetoric, Responsibility?" a booklet published by students in the School of Journalism's simulation program, attempts to interpret and clarify the Spring strike and related activities at the University. One of the four editors of the 48 page booklet, Jim Potter, A3, North Liberty said that the students' dissatisfaction with media coverage of activities at the university motivates them to publish the booklet. Potter pointed out that the students found most media coverage of the Spring activities here to be not only inaccurate but also irresponsible. He cited one television station's announcement on an evening news broadcast that Old Capitol was on fire as an example of journalistic irresponsibility. The station did not take into consideration the impact of reporting something such as that when it released that information." Potter stated. " Iowa '70" evolved out of a loosely-knit organization of journalism students who met during the strike to form a news bureau to report events for the wire services. Potter said the organization ultimately decided to publish a compilation of all their reports as a chronological record of what had happened here. The reports turned into the student news bureau were mostly interpretive, Potter continued, so students decided to incorporate explanations of events into the booklet. Students reporting for the news bureau chose as editors of the booklet: Potter; Terry Fruehling, A3 Keokuk; Libby Cameron, A3, Wilmette, Ill; and Eva Gail Rodes, A3 Marion. About 30 other journalism students volunteered to work as writers, photographers, typists and layout artists. The faculty and staff of the School of Journalism. Potter said provided materials for the project and answered students' questions. When plans for the booklet had been finalized, the School of Journalism faculty offered to give two hours of credit to all student participants. The faculty stipulated that the students would receive an A or F for their work on the booklet and that students would determine their own grades Potter said he felt that participants were highly motivated to turn out a superior product because they were working collectively toward a common useful goal. As one advantage student reporters had over most established media representatives. Potter cited the student reporters' ability to join a crowd of demonstrators without inhibiting them and without becoming conspicuous. " Iowa '70" contains a short chronological account of events from the first anti ROTC demonstration on April 18, through the Ecumenical Pentecost service here on May 17 at which student demonstrators picketed for peace. The reactions of various groups - businessmen, townspeople, students - to the strike and campus organizations during the strike are included in the booklet. It also contains an account of the events leading up to and including the firing of Leona Durham as editor of The Daily Iowan, after the fact evaluations of the entire situation. Potter said he was pleased with the booklet. He added, however, that he regretted the lack of feedback publishers of the booklet have received from the public. He sent copies of the booklet to about 30 newspapers he said and has received no answers. Potter said he also sent copies of " Iowa '70" to some state and national political figures such as Senators Harold Hughes ( D- Iowa) Senator Jack Miller (R-Iowa) and State Senators Fances Messerly ( R-Cedar Falls) and Minntte Doderer ( D-Iowa City). Hughes was the only political figure to acknowledge receipt of the booklet, according to Potter. About 3,000 copies of the booklet were printed "iowa '70" is available at Iowa Book and Supply Company. Hawkeye Bookstore and the Union Activities Center.