The Daily Free Press

The Daily Free Press. It is an independent, student-run newspaper serving the Boston University community and the greater Boston area. Founded in 1970, it publishes both in print and online, providing daily coverage of university affairs, local news, sports, arts, and opinion. The publication is financially and editorially independent from Boston University, operating from its own building near the center of campus.

History

The publication was established in 1970 following a merger between two previous campus newspapers, the *BU News* and the *News*. Its founding coincided with a period of significant student activism across the United States, including protests against the Vietnam War. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, it developed a reputation for aggressive reporting on both campus and city issues. A major milestone occurred in the early 1990s when it successfully fought for and secured its editorial and financial independence from Boston University's administration and Student Activities Office. This legal and operational separation has defined its identity, allowing it to report critically on the university and other institutions like the Boston Police Department and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

Content and operations

The organization operates on a daily publication schedule during the academic year, releasing issues both in physical format across campus and digitally. Its content is divided into several core sections: News covers events at Boston University and in neighborhoods like Allston and Fenway; Sports reports on Boston University Terriers teams and major Boston franchises such as the Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtics; Arts critiques campus performances and local cultural venues like the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; and Opinion features editorials and columns. The staff is entirely composed of students who handle all writing, editing, photography, design, business, and advertising operations, providing practical experience in journalism.

Notable alumni

Numerous former staff members have pursued distinguished careers in journalism, media, and public service. Alumni include **Liz Kowalczyk**, a health and medicine reporter for *The Boston Globe*; **David Bernstein**, a political writer for *The Boston Phoenix* and *WGBH*; and **Megan Woolhouse**, an award-winning reporter for *The Boston Globe* and *The Associated Press*. Other notable figures are **Jon Keller**, a political analyst for WBZ-TV, and **Andrew Gully**, a former senior editor at *The Boston Herald*. These individuals often cite their time at the publication as foundational training for work at major outlets like CNN, The New York Times, and National Public Radio.

Recognition and awards

The publication has consistently earned regional and national accolades for its student journalism. It has received multiple awards from the Associated Collegiate Press and the Society of Professional Journalists, particularly for investigative reporting, feature writing, and sports coverage. Individual staff members have been honored with prizes like the William Randolph Hearst Foundation's journalism awards and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association's Gold Crown. Its work is frequently recognized by the New England Newspaper & Press Association in competition with professional New England newspapers.

Controversies and challenges

Its editorial independence has occasionally led to significant tensions with the Boston University administration. Historic conflicts have arisen over coverage of sensitive topics, including university finances, campus crime, and controversies involving Boston University leadership. The paper has also faced financial challenges common to the newspaper industry, navigating shifts in advertising revenue and print circulation. In the digital era, it competes for audience attention with other student media like *The Quad* and broader outlets such as *WBUR*, while maintaining its commitment to critical reporting on powerful local entities including the Boston City Council and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Category:Student newspapers published in Massachusetts Category:Boston University Category:Publications established in 1970