University denies censoring after removing 'menstruation edition' of student magazine

A university that came under fire for removing the “menstruation edition” of a student magazine has denied it was censorship.

This week’s issue of the student magazine Critic, which had on its front cover a cartoon depicting a person menstruating, was removed from shelves at the University of Otago in New Zealand.

Posters in protest appeared around the campus after the magazine disappeared, saying they had been “censored”.

But on Wednesday the university issued a statement saying the Critic issue wasn’t removed and its disappearance was a mistake.

“In response to questions recently, the University would like to clarify that it made no decision to remove the editions of Critic from University stands,” the statement read.

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“What did occur was an incorrect assumption by staff in the Proctor’s office.

“Because Critic staff had removed copies of the edition from the Dunedin Public Library and the Dunedin Public Hospital on Monday, as they are public places, staff in the Proctor’s office believed that it should follow that copies also be removed from campus.

“Regrettably, they removed approximately 500 copies and disposed of them.

“No directions were given to Campus Watch from the University on this matter. This was a mistake and never intended as censorship.”

The magazine issue was dedicated to menstruation and written by females and non-binary contributors, Stuff reported.

Illustrator Saskia Rushton-Green defended the graphic cover art on the magazine issue, which showed a naked woman menstruating.

“I certainly never intended this piece to be degrading to women/anyone who bleeds from their vagina. In fact, I hope some people find it empowering,” she said.