Uproar over ‘disgusting’ front page of University Paper Newcastle
‘We’re getting a lot of flak’
A blundering new student paper has come under fire for splashing an article about sex next to a piece about suspected rapes.
The front page of the University Paper’s November issue features “sex, trebles and a whole load of carnage” right next to the headline “5 rapes shock students”.
The free monthly paper, which also features a story about a Crew Member taking a girl home and accidentally pooing on her, was pushed through Jesmond letterboxes last week – sparking outrage from households with young children.
Angry residents were alarmed that young children would be exposed to the inappropriate material, as reported by Jesmond Local.
And students are equally shocked, branding the paper’s front page “disgusting”.
Emma Hughes, a Northumbria MLaw student said: “I think it’s a bit disgusting they believe that a story about freshers having sex is more important than informing people of five rapes in the area.”
Dean Smee, a third Year Law student at Northumbria was horrified by the article: “I think rape isn’t taken seriously as it is, so putting it next to an article that glamourises the kind of thing where rape may happen is disgusting! Not to mention a bit stupid.”
The University Paper Newcastle, which describes itself as a “high quality” publication, is delivered free on a monthly basis through letterboxes in student areas like Jesmond and Heaton.
But a cock-up has meant locals are being subjected to the paper’s racy articles about student antics – including a description of a Crew Member taking a girl home and accidentally shitting on her.
And next to this is a story about five separate sexual assaults made against students in Newcastle.
Newcastle University’s LGBT Officer, Luke Alison was also disgusted: “It’s just them trying to be antagonistic and completely inconsiderate.
“Sad thing is it will probably be good on her CV for a lot of papers in this country.
“Also how they call themselves ‘The university newspaper’ with Newcastle written below pisses me off. As if there’s some sort of affiliation.”
Editor Henrietta Painter has ignored local publications trying to contact her for comment.
The University Paper Newcastle has since apologised for placing the two articles next to each other: “We’re sorry; those two stories should never have appeared on the same page.”