MUNCIE, Ind. (The CI) - Today, February 26, 2026, is Student Press Freedom Day.
Established by the Student Press Law Center (SPLC), Student Press Freedom Day recognizes the importance of a free press and the contributions of student journalists.
As, according to StudentPressFreedom.org, this year’s theme is “Resilience in Action,” I’d like to take a moment to highlight the student-controlled, independently-operated work of The Cardinal Independent (The CI) and how we strive and continue to stand against censorship.
The CI operates fully independently from Ball State University. Our goal is to give the Muncie community an independent voice, providing an alternative to the current lack of news diversity.
The CI has published four Op-Eds (one syndicated from The Muncie Post-Democrat with permission), extending its audience of over 30,000 readers to members of the Muncie community to voice their opinions and concerns.
The CI has diversified its media portfolio, delivering over the web (CIMuncie.org), radio (The CI Radio Network), and a podcast (The 765+), reaching our community where they’re at. Altogether, we reach…
Our current and legacy websites,
5 internet radio service providers, and
4 podcast service providers, including an RSS feed to configure with your own.
The CI has filed three public records requests with the Ball State University Office of General Counsel to uncover…
Information regarding the firing of Director of Health Promotion and Advocacy Suzanne Swierc,
Information regarding the University’s funding of Unified Media outlets, and
Information regarding what happened on November 19, 2025, when twelve Ball State students wrote letters to University President Geoffrey Mearns.
The CI created the BSUExpressionConcerns@CIMuncie.org inbox for Ball State students and staff concerned about expressing themselves on campus, following the firing of Suzanne Swierc.
The CI publicly corrected NewsLink Indiana for calling a protest in support of Palestine a “student media protest.”
We’ve only been operating for 11 months. The extensive growth of The CI has been absolutely insane to me, and it proves that there’s a community need for a free, independent press in the Muncie community. I’ve spoken with numerous industry leaders and nonprofit foundations, all of which are supportive of The CI as a news service. Our subscription to the Public News Service allows us to deliver relevant and neutral state and national content, as well.
This month has been full of meetings, and will be for months forward. One of the fair critiques about The CI is, “How will it continue without Vivian?”
The point is, The CI was never about me—I rebranded it from Vivian Bostick News (VBN) to The CI in September because it’s about the broader community and the people we serve. While what’s now The CI launched out of a need to create and do something with my time and experience is now a community pillar, and I’m working with nonprofit organizations to establish a fiscally-sponsored project to apply for grants and establish a paid team of journalists, to ensure The CI remains this pillar. This will also mean more news will be produced, better serving and reaching our community. Once this is project established, an announcement will be made.
A free press is critical. Breaking an information oligopoly is critical. Giving students an independent voice is critical.
Serving our underserved community is critical.
If you’re able, consider supporting our work by giving at https://CIMuncie.org/donate, or by starting a monthly or annual contribution at https://CIMuncie.org/subscribe. While support is not tax-deducitble at this time, we’re extremely hopeful to partner with an organization that directly aligns with our independent values.
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