Lehigh to publish Globe-Times book
Just days after being accused of trampling on freedom at speech, Lehigh University administrators have agreed to print an unflattering book about the demise of The Globe-Times of Bethlehem.
University Provost Al Pense yesterday said Lehigh will publish "Betrayed: Death of An American Newspaper"after all
Book author Walter Brasch had been told last week that the University, concerned about backlash from potential donors, wanted to drop the 400-plus page, 125,OOO~word book. The independent Lehigh University Press earlier had agreed to publish the work.
But when some Lehigh administrators complained the book was "sensationalistic,"' it looked like the university's name would not appear on the tome.
Pense, after a meeting with the Lehigh University Press editorial board yesterday, said it was important for university press to maintain its editorial freedom.
"As a journalist and an educator, I am pleased that Lehigh University learned a few lessons about academic freedom and freedom of the press ,"said Brasch, a Bloomsburg University journalist and former newspaper editor.
"A great university must distinguish itself by a search for truth and knowledge, above all other considerations."
Before Lehigh officials had expressed misgivings, the book had been edited, given three supportive reviews and approved by the board of Associated University Presses, a Cranberry, NJ, consortium that includes Lehigh University Press arid publishing factions from like eastern universities.
Brasch had signed a contract on June 9, 1994, and the book was set for release Dec. 1, 1995. Between the contract signing and the writing of the book index, Brasch was told there was a problem.
Pense, who didn't see the book transcript until August, told Lehigh University Press that he was wary of how the public would perceive the university's role in the book.
"I discussed with them my concerns that the general public might believe the comments in the book would be Lehigh's comments,"Pense said.
But after a meeting with the Lehigh University Press board yesterday, Pense was satisfied that readers would make the distinction between the university's publishing role and the author's roll.
The university press, he added, "needs some independence."
'I'm glad we resolved it, and I'm glad the [Lehigh] press is comfortable with the solution,"Pense said "I'm comfortable too."
But while it appears Lehigh will publish the book, there now is the question of what to do with Fairleigh Dickinson University's offer to publish the work, Brasch's 10th.
Fairleigh Dickinson, also a member of Associated University Presses, made the offer this week when it appeared Lehigh would drop its name from the book
Brasch said the question of who will publish the book will be answered after Associated University Presses Director Julien Yoseloff returns to his New Jersey office on Wednesday.
The book, expected to retail for around $50 and be on sale in local bookstores by the end of summer, takes an in-depth look at the paper's decision to terminate 40 percent of its editorial employees in, 1988. and what Brasch said was the paper's inability to protect its territory from newspaper competitors.
The work is the result of interviews with more than 250 Globe-Times staff members and community leaders.
"It is a micro-examination on how a respected small daily was run into the ground because of poor management decisions,"wrote retired Pennsylvania State University journalism Professor John Rippey in a review of the book.
Rippey called Brasch's account of intimidation of employees during the 1988 mass firings "chilling.""
"That chapter is worth excerpting and giving to journalism students,"noted Rippey.
As for his own students, Brasch plans to relate his own freedom of speech debate during Bloomsburg's classes next week.
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