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Otago University's Critic magazine refusing to cover 2020 election

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 26 Feb 2020, 7:00PM
Sinead Gill says its not her job to convince students who to vote for. (Photo / NZ Herald)
Sinead Gill says its not her job to convince students who to vote for. (Photo / NZ Herald)

Otago University's Critic magazine refusing to cover 2020 election

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Wed, 26 Feb 2020, 7:00PM

Otago University's student editor is standing by her decision not to cover politics this election year.

A scathing editorial by Critic's Sinead Gill says political parties only offer students a single, shrivelled pea.

It's attracted criticism from politicians - with Dunedin South MP Clare Curran accusing Gill of being ego-centric.

Curran says it's small minded to think all university students care about is fees - when they're facing issues like climate change and mental health.

But Gill says she won't be telling people who to vote for.

"It's up to the parties to convince students they care about them, and if parties can't do that themselves, then it's not my job to do it for them, I'm not their PR person."

She says elections are politicians' job - not hers.

"My job is to inform students and right now the information is that politicians don't really care about you until you're parents or a homeowner or if you're still in high school."

Gill says parties use Critic as their only way of communicating with students, rather than coming to campuses and hearing their thoughts in person.

 

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