Syracuse University on Thursday disinvited a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist who was scheduled to participate in an upcoming journalism program because he was recently in Liberia covering the ongoing Ebola crisis.
The dean of Syracuse’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Lorraine Branham, spoke to News Photographer magazine about the decision to disinvite photojournalist Michel du Cille.
“He was disinvited because of concerns that were generated by some students that led me to believe that it would lead to even more concerns,” she said. “So it was in the best interest of the students for me to withdraw the invitation.”
Du Cille, who was in Liberia covering the Ebola crisis for The Washington Post, told the magazine that he was upset about the university’s decision.
“I am pissed off,” du Cille told the magazine. “I am disappointed in the level of journalism at Syracuse, and I am angry that they missed a great teaching opportunity. Instead they have decided to jump in with the mass hysteria.”
“If she [Branham] had bothered to discuss it with me, she would have known,” du Cille continued. “But they’re just not going to take the direct word of the CDC and the director, and 21 days of monitoring means nothing to them because they’re just being alarmed.”
Du Cille had been monitoring his condition since returning from Liberia and had not exhibited symptoms during the 21 day incubation period, which is provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
h/t Mediaite
Shocking. A university is supposed to be a bulwark against the forces of darkness and ignorance.
An appallingly bad decision. You are training journalists who may go into a war zone to tell the world what’s happening and you give in to idiotic, baseless fear. Shame!
(1.) Michel du Cille was recently in Liberia covering the ongoing Ebola crisis.
(2.) Michel du Cille breathed the air and ate food in Liberia
(3.) Michel du Cille would definitely exhale & possibly urinate / defecate while on the Syracuse campus
OHHHHHH!!! Emergency emergency … everyone to get from streets!
From the News Photographer link: “Branham (Syracuse Dean) said she told du Cille today that she would still like for him to come to Syracuse at some point in the future to lead students in a conversation about the “irrational fears and making bad decisions,” such as some of those surrounding the Ebola crisis.” Yeah. I see that happening. I’m sure that invitation is going in the mail… never.
“I am pissed off,” du Cille told the magazine. “I am disappointed in the level of journalism at Syracuse, and I am angry that they missed a great teaching opportunity. Instead they have decided to jump in with the mass hysteria.”
Yeah. I expect Fox viewers to go crazy- after all, they don’t believe in evolution, or global warming, or vaccines- but a university? Sad.