A motion to unsubscribe from the Sun in protest at its ‘Page 3’ feature has been passed by Lincoln JCR, at a meeting that was condemned as “a mockery of the supposedly tolerant environment.”
Mary Clapp, who proposed the motion with Thomas Frost and Ben Goldstein, told Cherwell, “We proposed it on the grounds that the inclusion of ‘Page 3’ topless models and the ‘News in Brief’ was a sexist and misogynistic feature, and in buying the Sun for the JCR every member was paying for the Sun, and hence endorsing it.”
Clapp added, “It was completely related to and inspired by the No More Page 3 campaign – a large reason the motion was passed was that people were aware of it being a larger movement that the JCR would be involved in.”
The No More Page 3 campaign, started by Lucy-Anne Holmes in August 2012, seeks to persuade the Sun to end its use of topless models; Brasenose College and Teddy Hall have already voted to unsubscribe.
A spokesperson for the campaign said, “We’re delighted that Lincoln College has chosen to boycott The Sun. More and more student bodies have decided to support No More Page 3 and by supporting the campaign, these Student Unions and JCRs have sent a powerful message to the students they represent that respect towards women is an absolute priority.”
However, several students opposed the motion or declined to vote arguing that to unsubscribe would be to take a political stance, stressing the importance of an apolitical JCR.
A third year student who wished to remain anonymous commented, “Being apolitical contributed enormously to our JCR’s friendly atmosphere because, in a place where we all have strong opinions, no one made their opinion matter more than their peers. I am sad if we have lost that environment within college for any cause, even one I personally agree with.”
Stefan Curtress, who abstained from voting, added, “Noting that the Sun has historically supported Labour in general elections, is this not a political statement? The vote to boycott the highest selling national newspaper yet again bolsters the perception of so called ‘Oxford elitism’ that Oxford studets are working hard to shake off, and indirectly gives off the feeling that any Sun reader is not a welcome member of our JCR.”
A further abstainer, Andrew Bailey, also criticised the conduct of the debate, stating, “There was a feeling that people were being judged for not supporting the motion, which was unfair.”
No one from the Sun was available for comment.
