Student mag wins legal battle

Freedom of the press prevailed today as an unedited Salient went back on newsstands after Victoria University dropped legal action against the student magazine which published leaked documents about a possible fee hike.

An agreement was reached late yesterday when Salient agreed to return the confidential documents.

Victoria won an interim injunction in the High Court at Wellington on Friday. It was too late to stop Salient printing this week's edition but the injunction prevented the distribution of the 6000 magazines.

Vice-Chancellor Pat Walsh yesterday backed down from an earlier threat to extend the injunction to all 13 student magazines after Salient removed the story from the Aotearoa Student Press Association news network and warned editors about the injunction.

Both parties were back in court this morning where the interim injunction was discharged.

The article Victoria tried to stop revealed students could face a 5-10 per cent across-the-board fees increase next year. It was based on a consultation document to the university's finance committee which had not been seen by the full council.

Victoria spokeswoman Jude Urlich has not ruled out fee rises.

Salient editor Emily Braunstein today welcomed the agreement reached with the university which would destroy all copies of the returned leaked document.

"It shows you can come to a reasonable and fair outcome without having to go to court," she told NZPA.

"I'm just really pleased the magazine went out without amendments. It's come out much quicker than if we had gone to court."

It was the first time in the 67-year history of the publication that an entire edition had been injuncted, Ms Braunstein said.

"It's neat that we are forging new ground. (But) hopefully it's the last time."

Today's distribution of Salient was an "absolute" triumph for freedom of the press.

Ms Braunstein said although she liked to think people read the magazine anyway, the legal battle had bought a new level of interest in the publication.

"I don't know how I'm going to get another issue out on Monday."

- NZPA