“Clifford Hardin at desk.” Clifford M. Hardin, Papers. Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.

“Magazine Sponsors Peace Essay Contest.” The Daily Nebraskan. March 14, 1961, 4.

Lauren Van Treeck, History 250: The Historian Craft, Fall 2019

The Daily Nebraskan has been the University of Nebraska’s official student newspaper since the first issue was published on June 13, 1901.[1] Covering a variety of topics, students could learn about campus events, football games, and get updates on the Board of Regents. While there was a decent amount of range, the student-run paper had rarely involved itself in the political arena until 1961. The Daily Nebraskan was usually a surface level type of paper, staying away from topics that involved any controversy. However, when the newspaper published a slightly political article, dissent from powerful Nebraskan voices rained down. In the 1960s, amidst the Red Scare, the University of Nebraska’s firm stance on protecting The Daily Nebraskan empowered a long-lasting wave of free speech for its students.

The University of Nebraska’s stance in protecting The Daily Nebraskan’s political speech occurred during a time that made their actions even more impactful. The Red Scare was a national attitude of hysteria that Communists would take over in the U.S. due to fears caused by the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States. Though the Red Scare was at its peak in the 1940s and 50s, the policies and attitudes it created endured well into the late 20^th century. Influential voices in government such as Senator Joe McCarthy and FBI director J. Edgar Hoover were strong proponents of this frenzy. Numerous governmental actions were taken to prevent the spread of Communism, notably the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), which frequently investigated the federal government and Hollywood film industry for subversive activities. [2] Even people perceived to be sympathizers of Communist beliefs were subject to mistrust and discrimination. Many Americans held onto the attitudes introduced by the Red Scare, and this had a lasting impact on numerous industries, especially the media.

The Red Scare’s effects largely limited freedom of speech. Hollywood’s film writers, producers, and directors were investigated by the HUAC. House Un-American Activities Committee subpoenaed a group of them, the Hollywood Ten, to ask questions about any affiliations they had with the Communist Party. In response to this event, movie studios began the Hollywood Blacklist, refusing to hire anyone who wouldn’t testify about communism before Congress.[3] The Sedition and Espionage Acts of 1917 and 1918 prohibited disloyal speech to the government, military, the Constitution, or the flag.[4] Though the Sedition Act was repealed long before the Red Scare of the 1950s, the Espionage Act remained active. In addition, the fear created by the Red Scare ensured that many aspects of these Acts would unofficially impact the press. Any critiques about the government, war, or military may not have been illegal by the 1960s, but they were certainly going to bring strong negative public opinions.

The Daily Nebraskan was in no way immune to the over-surveillance of the press during the mid-20^th century. Traditionally a non-political paper focused on campus events and football, The Daily Nebraskan first brought political opinion into their writing on March 14, 1961.[5] An article was written on a “peace essay contest” sponsored by a magazine called New World Review. [6] Students had to answer the prompt, “What policies should the new Administration adopt on disarmament and relations with other countries to insure lasting world peace?”^[7] While The Daily Nebraskan article itself did not state a political opinion, a certain political leaning was presented. New World Review, which sponsored the essay, was indeed a Communist Party publication based in the United States. The article was short and appeared on the last page of the paper, yet major dissent quickly followed its publication.

Former Nebraska Senator Ray Simmons was outraged by The Daily Nebraskan’s article and his open fight with the University of Nebraska made widespread news across the state, showcasing the unofficial ways that free speech was limited during the mid-20^th century. After the publication of the seemingly harmless article, Simmons stated that “the job of keeping communist propaganda out of the University of Nebraska’s student newspaper is the job of Chancellor Clifford M. Hardin.”^[7] Simmons response was a clear display of the fear held by the public. Additionally, the excessive number of Nebraskan newspapers that took interest in the topic showed the way that political opinions of students were overly monitored and limited. Newspapers such as The Norfolk Daily News, Omaha World Herald, Fremont Tribune, Grand Island Independent, Lincoln Star, and York Times all covered this story to some degree. The Norfolk Daily News went so far as to say that The Daily Nebraskan’s article was “a source of concern to those who provide the funds for education and those charged with administration of the schools.”[8] Immense pressure was put on the University of Nebraska and Chancellor Hardin to respond, and his response would be pivotal in setting the tone for all future publications of The Daily Nebraskan.

Chancellor Hardin’s response to Simmons was a progressive step for the University of Nebraska, ultimately encouraging freedom of speech for students. Chancellor Hardin did not shy away from his beliefs, “As the Board of Regents has made clear on a number of occasions, the University stands for the American right of free expression, and I would oppose a retreat from that position.”[9] While Simmons had proposed university intervention and censorship of The Daily Nebraskan, Chancellor Hardin strongly encouraged a student-run press that had the right to say what was on their minds. Furthermore, the Board of Regents did not permit interference with The Daily Nebraskan by administration or faculty. Considering that student writers for The Daily Nebraskan had rarely showed any political opinion prior to this situation, the University of Nebraska’s response was setting a precedent. Students overall were “delighted that the paper [had] risen above a football mentality”[10 whereas papers around Nebraska, such as the Omaha World Herald, feared the “left-wing extremism…climate which [had] been created on campus.”[11] Amidst the attitudes and fears of the Red Scare, Chancellor Hardin did not give into societal pressures to censor students’ voices, which in turn created an environment where students were empowered.

What made the fight between Simmons and Hardin so pivotal is that after Hardin stepped in to defend the paper, students increasingly began using their voices all throughout campus in the following years. Shortly after Hardin’s stance was taken, student opinion and concern became the main topic of The Daily Nebraskan, taking up most front pages. For example, on October 14, 1965, The Daily Nebraskan wrote about new student action groups, such as Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), whose interests included “not only civil rights but many other contemporary social problems.”[12] Additionally, student action was strongly encouraged at this point, as Dr. David Trask, associate professor of history at the University of Nebraska, made clear. He strongly recommended “more student action, a less apathetic administration, and more education on contemporary problems”on the campus.[13] In 1964, Friends of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (FSNCC) became the “first civil rights group ever organized on the University [of Nebraska’s] campus.”[14] There was a stark difference in the culture of students’ political involvement within a few short years. From being condemned for presenting a political opinion to political action groups taking up the front page, The Daily Nebraskan was liberated by Chancellor Hardin.  Hardin opened the gate for political movements such as these to take place and encouraged an environment where students were empowered to create them.

The state of The Daily Nebraskan today reflects the long tradition of freedom of expression that Chancellor Hardin and the Board of Regents stood for. Student opinions are easy to find, and in fact, even sometimes directly criticize the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s administration. For example, articles such as “Editorial: How we’re fighting for COVID transparency from the university” and “Editorial: Why Ronnie Green’s criticisms of the Title IX article are unfounded” call UNL to a higher standard for its students.[15] The University has maintained an environment of student empowerment even when student opinions do not reflect well on administration. Numerous political opinion articles can be found via editorials and letters to/from the editor. Articles include but are not limited to, “OPINION: Nebraska should legalize recreational marijuana,” “COUNTER: Transgender women should be allowed to participate in women’s sports,” and “MCCLURE: UNL should not make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for fall 2021.”[16] Expression is a critical way for college students to learn and engage with the world around them.

When people in power, such as Chancellor Hardin, unequivocally defend students who are learning how to use their voices, real change begins to take place. Students at UNL were empowered by Hardin and they ran with what he gave them. Beyond The Daily Nebraskan, current students at UNL proudly use their voices to enact change. A prime example of this was when thousands of students protested an alleged sexual assault that occurred in the Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity house.[17] Free expression of students has become commonplace at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln due to people like Chancellor Hardin, who defended students’ rights to use their voices.

In conclusion, amidst the Red Scare, the University of Nebraska’s firm stance on protecting The Daily Nebraskan empowered a long-lasting wave of free speech for its students. The University of Nebraska’s statement came at a time when free speech was being overly controlled due to the Red Scare. The Red Scare was a time of mass fear over communism in the United States during the Cold War. Governmental policies furthered mistrust and discrimination against communist beliefs and sympathizers. Because of the massive cultural impacts of the Red Scare, the press suffered greatly in terms of freedom of speech. The Daily Nebraskan was in no way immune to the impacts of the Red Scare, which can be seen through former Senator Ray Simmons’ response and the vast media coverage of his fight with the University of Nebraska. Chancellor Hardin and the Board of Regents took a stand in defense of students and their response encouraged an environment of free student expression on campus.

Endnotes

1. “Commencement Day.” The Daily Nebraskan. June 13, 1901, https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1901-06-13/ed-1/seq-1/.
2. History.com Editors. “Red Scare.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, June 1, 2010. https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/red-scare.
3. Boyd, Christina L. “Sedition Act of 1918.” Middle Tennessee State University, 2009. https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1239/sedition-act-of-1918.
4. Magazine Sponsors Peace Essay Contest.” The Daily Nebraskan. March 14, 1961, https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1961-03-14/ed-1/seq-4
5. Magazine Sponsors Peace Essay Contest.” The Daily Nebraskan. March 14, 1961,  https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1961-03-14/ed-1/seq-4
6. Magazine Sponsors Peace Essay Contest.” The Daily Nebraskan. March 14, 1961,  https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1961-03-14/ed-1/seq-4
7. “Simmons vs. Student News.” Fremont Tribune. July 12, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.
8. Norfolk Daily News. July 14, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.
9. “Hardin Wants ‘No Retreat’ At University.” Norfolk Daily News. July 13, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.
10. “Climate on Campus.” Omaha World Herald. July 14, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.
11. “Climate on Campus.” Omaha World Herald. July 14, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.
12. “Climate on Campus.” Omaha World Herald. July 14, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.
13. “SDS Plans Vietnam Teach-In,” “New Movements Encourage Trask,” “Students, Faculty Voice Opinions,” “FSNCC Strives To Help Gulfport.” The Daily Nebraskan. October 14, 1965, 1. https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1965-10-14/ed-1/seq-1/
14. “SDS Plans Vietnam Teach-In,” “New Movements Encourage Trask,” “Students, Faculty Voice Opinions,” “FSNCC Strives To Help Gulfport.” The Daily Nebraskan. October 14, 1965, 1. https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1965-10-14/ed-1/seq-1/
15. 9“SDS Plans Vietnam Teach-In,” “New Movements Encourage Trask,” “Students, Faculty Voice Opinions,” “FSNCC Strives To Help Gulfport.” The Daily Nebraskan. October 14, 1965, 1. https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1965-10-14/ed-1/seq-1/
16. Editorials,” The Daily Nebraskan. http://www.dailynebraskan.com/opinion/editorials/
17. Editorials,” The Daily Nebraskan. http://www.dailynebraskan.com/opinion/editorials/
18. Hummel, Becca. Peal, Jolie. “‘Every day until they’re gone:’ Protesters surround FIJI after alleged sexual assault,” The Daily Nebraskan. http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/campus/every-day-until-they-re-gone-protesters-surround-fiji-after-alleged-sexual-assault/article_41be5262-0567-11ec-bc20-d78db61ac0ea.html

 Works Cited

• Boyd, Christina L. “Sedition Act of 1918.” Middle Tennessee State University, 2009. https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1239/sedition-act-of-1918. 
• “Climate on Campus.” Omaha World Herald. July 14, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries..
• “Commencement Day.” The Daily Nebraskan. June 13, 1901, 1. https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1901-06-13/ed-1/seq-1/.
• “Editorials,” The Daily Nebraskan. http://www.dailynebraskan.com/opinion/editorials/.
• “Hardin Wants ‘No Retreat’ At University.” Norfolk Daily News. July 13, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.
• History.com Editors. “Red Scare.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, June 1, 2010. https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/red-scare. 
• Hummel, Becca and Jolie Peal. “‘Every day until they’re gone:’ Protesters surround FIJI after alleged sexual assault,” The Daily Nebraskan. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, August 25, 2021. http://www.dailynebraskan.com/news/campus/every-day-until-they-re-gone-protesters-surround-fiji-after-alleged-sexual-assault/article_41be5262-0567-11ec-bc20-d78db61ac0ea.html.
• “Magazine Sponsors Peace Essay Contest.” The Daily Nebraskan. March 14, 1961, 4. https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1961-03-14/ed-1/seq-4.
• Norfolk Daily News. July 14, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.
• “SDS Plans Vietnam Teach-In,” “New Movements Encourage Trask,” “Students, Faculty Voice Opinions,” “FSNCC Strives To Help Gulfport.” The Daily Nebraskan. October 14, 1965, 1. https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/sn96080312/1965-10-14/ed-1/seq-1/
• “Simmons vs. Student News.” Fremont Tribune. July 12, 1961. RG 52-03, Archives & Special Collections, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries.