Thursday, February 24, 2011

Plaque and Sign Placed to Mark Historic Site

by J.B. Cole

On April 14, 2010 Jerry Mitchell of the Clarion Ledger introduced the University of Mississippi as a National Historic Site for Journalism. The Society of Professional Journalism declared the University campus a historic site in recognition of French journalist Paul Guihard. The plaque commemorating Guihard’s life and legacy is located in the lobby of Farley Hall and the sign remembering the reporter is at the corner of Sorority Row outside of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media.

Mr. Guihard was covering the riots that raged after James Meredith was admitted to Ole Miss. On September 30, 1962, the French reporter was shot in the back at point blank range near the Student Union and was later found dead near a women’s dorm on campus. Before Guihard was slain, his observations were sent to Agence France-Presse, the news agency that printed his story for the world to see.

His story included the observation that the riots following the integration of Ole Miss were “the most serious constitutional crisis ever experienced by the United States since the war of secession.” The observations of Guihard and the over 300 journalists covering the riots preserved history and their stories showed the volatile nature of the segregated South to a naive world. Guihard is the only known journalist to lose his life covering the Civil Rights Movement.


The University of Mississippi campus was a war zone on the 30 of September, and reporters covering the chaos became easy targets to the angry mob. The dangers of reporting were taken to a new level, with tear gas and gunfire showering the sky. “It was a dangerous situation for anyone. As a journalist, I couldn’t imagine covering a race riot and ithappen before your eyes, somehow still being objective,” remarked Madison County Journal reporter Matt Stuart. Stuart commented that covering breaking news stories can always be unexpected and potentially dangerous.

Paul Guihard is remembered as a dedicated journalist whose sacrifice showed the world what happened on a late September segregated, Southern campus. "There is a natural connection between SPJ's commitment to the First Amendment and Guihard's sacrifice," said Kathleen Wickham, associate professor of journalism and SPJ adviser in a 2009 University press release. Guihard’s commitment to the journalism profession is a cause for remembrance and reflection.

The SPJ also dedicated a bench in memorial of Mr. Guihard outside Farley Hall on April 17, 2009. The date was chosen to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the SPJ. "The SPJ has done a lot for the advancement of journalism, and has set a standard that all journalists should use throughout their careers," said senior journalism major Lee Smith. In a recent development, the plaque that adorned the bench was reported stolen in a letter to the editor on January 25, 2011. The plaque was purchased by the student chapter of the SPJ and the culprit is still at large. The SPJ is the largest professional journalism society in the nation.



Links:

DM Letter to the Editor(1/25/11)
http://www.thedmonline.com/topics/Paul Guihard

Missing Plaque
http://www.mpbonline.org/content/memorial-plaque-paul-guihard

Background
http://www.newseum.org/scripts/Journalist/Detail.asp?PhotoID=863

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