Chart editorial questions firing of Hanrahan

In a hard-hitting editorial published earlier this week, Missouri Southern State University's newspaper, The Chart, questioned the firing of its adviser, T. R. Hanrahan and claims that the newspaper's journalistic independence would not be affected by Hanrahan's dismissal:

If Hanrahan's firing is a result of Chart coverage and sometimes-critical stances regarding Missouri Southern administrators, including President Bruce Speck, then it is not just another example of retribution at this University, but a violation of the First Amendment.


If his firing is a result of his teaching performance, then plenty of students would say otherwise.

The problem is we don't have the answers.

Hanrahan was told the University wanted to move in a different direction.

If a "different direction" is away from hard news coverage, critical editorial stances when called for and award-winning journalism, then this University should be ashamed.