The Sun To Set On UEA?

Information obtained from the Union Council agenda circulated to councillors last week reveals that motions have been proposed to ban the selling of The Sun and the playing of the song Blurred Lines on Union premises.

The motion to ban the sale of The Sun, proposed by Women’s Officer Rachel Knott, comes in response to accusations that the newspaper violates Union policies of equality by sexualising women. The motion proposal in the Union Agenda claims that by stocking it on campus, the Union “continues to publicly declare support for this ‘national institution’ that presents and elevates such a narrow and degrading view of women to society.”

If the motion is passed, UEA would join Manchester and Essex as the latest in a series of Universities which have banned the UK’s highest selling newspaper.

Unions across the country have also banned the playing of the song Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke at Union events or by any Union media. At Edinburgh University, where the song was banned by the Union, a DJ was ordered to fade the song out early after playing it at a silent disco on Union premises. Despite topping the charts in 14 countries, including the UK, the song has received criticism for lyrics which have been accused of degrading women and trivialising sexual consent. Rachel Knott has also presented a motion to ban the song from playing in Union premises (notably the LCR and The Hive).

Rachel Knott told The Tab “The song promotes themes of sexual violence and lack of consent that do not comply with the Union’s policies on consent or our Zero Tolerance policy on sexual harassment.” She declared that “I would never feel comfortable predicting the outcome of a motion ahead of time, but I am hopeful it will pass.”

Both motions will be considered by the Union at Union Council on Thursday 24^th of October. The Tab will be live tweeting the results @TheTabNorwich

Do you agree with the proposed boycotts, or will you be fiercely protesting your right to buy The Sun and listen to Blurred Lines on campus? Let us know in the comments section!