Petition launched in support of Becky Pinnington

The Becky Pinnington saga continues today as an online petition has been launched which “condemns” the action of UCL, expresses concern at “this threat to the free operation of student press.”

The open letter, which has a target of 1000 signatures, has been signed by countless academics jumping to Becky’s support, and reads:

“We, the undersigned, condemn the actions taken by University College London in threatening to dismiss Ms. Rebecca Pinnington, a 4th-year undergraduate, and President of the UCLU Pi Magazine, from the university, and wish to express our concern at this threat to the free operation of student press.

“Ms. Pinnington published an article entitled “Head of UCL Estates leaves confidential documents publicly available” which stated that Pi Media had obtained and would be revealing the contents of some of these documents. She did not release these documents. However, if the Independent report on Saturday 12 March is correct, they include a forecast that UCL was on course to make a greater surplus out of student accommodation than had previously been claimed – which, if true, we believe would amount to a public-interest justification in publication. We note that on 10 March, UCL announced the freezing and reduction of student rents.

“Consequently we have every reason to believe that Rebecca’s actions were made in good faith and that she acted in accordance with the highest of journalistic values. We commend her bravery in coming forward with this story.

“We view student journalism in the same esteem as that accorded to professional media and see its role as one of vital importance in holding the university, a prominent and significant public institution, to account. Independent journalism – whether noisy, boisterous, inconvenient, or disreputable – is the hallmark of a free society. Any infringement on journalists’ right to operate without interference as part of the free press is of great concern to all of us.”

Rex Knight, who threatened Becky originally

This news comes as, earlier this week, the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) claimed UCL should retract the threats made to the Pi Media President, describing the move as “disgraceful“.

Becky told The Tab: “It’s gratifying to know that there are people at UCL who value public interest journalism and agree with me that this information should have been made freely available.”

The Tab fully supports the ruling by the NUJ, and stands in solidarity with Becky, Pi Media, and all those opposed to censorship, coercion and injustice.

You can sign the petition here.