Meet the (Former) Mizzou Media Professor Who Hates the Media

Yesterday was a fun day for journalists. From banning Russian athletes to the Hindu celebration of Diwali, Chipotle reopening in the Pacific Northwest to a little debate happening in Milwaukee, to the all the stories being written and broadcast about the goings-on at the University of Missouri. During the ballyhoo of rally cries and applauding the ousting voluntary leaving of former Mizzou president Tim Wolfe, we met Dr. Melissa Click. If you read what was her Mizzou bio, you'll see she is no slouch when it comes to instructing others on the ethics, pragmatics and academics of mass media. Yet, the emotion and vitriol of the kerfuffle on campus got the best of her. See for yourself. That's an assistant professor of mass media looking for "muscle" to remove the media from campus. First Amendment, not withstanding. Journalism, step aside. PR, take center stage please. Statement by Melissa Click, Assistant Professor of the Department of Communication, Regarding Carnahan Quad Protests pic.twitter.com/FJPUJUL5b3 — MU College of A&S (@MUCollegeofAS) November 10, 2015 And there are your talking points and obligatory mea culpa. She advised everyone that she has reached out to "her friends" in the media to issue her misgivings. "I regret the language and strategies I used, and sincerely apologize to the MU campus community, and journalists at large, for my behavior, and also for the way my actions have shifted attention away from the students’ campaign for justice. My actions were shaped by exasperation with a few spirited reporters." Sweet, right? Heartfelt, perhaps? Doesn't matter because she's gone. It turns out, the school isn't missing much: The professor, Melissa Click, an assistant professor in the department of communication had what was described as a “courtesy appointment” at the School of Journalism, meaning that she could serve on student thesis review panels. “Journalism school faculty members are taking immediate action to review that appointment,” David Kurpius, the dean of the school, said in a statement released Tuesday, stressing that Ms. Click did not teach at the school. Makes sense. Why? Last night, before she was given a pink slip, the mass media professor took to the social part of things and stuck her foot in her tweet: True contrition. Nice. I sent out an apology statement. All better, let's go on with our lives. #Mizzou #ConcernedStudent1950 #sorrynotsorry — Melissa Click (@MelissaClickMSU) November 10, 2015 Nice to know stereotypes have been eradicated at Mizzou. People want to know why I called for muscle.Simple he was Asian and probably knows karate. #BlackLivesMatter #Mizzou #ConcernedStudent1950 — Melissa Click (@MelissaClickMSU) November 11, 2015 Enjoying a suspension, are we? Another bottle of wine? Looks like I'm off tomorrow. Thanks Twitter #Mizzou #ConceredStudent1950 — Melissa Click (@MelissaClickMSU) November 11, 2015 She's got a point. You know this is all going to blow over by the end of the week. I'll still be teaching, and all of you will forget about me. #Mizzou — Melissa Click (@MelissaClickMSU) November 11, 2015 And way to keep it classy, Mizzou... Whoever left the flaming bag of poop on my doorstep should be ashamed of themselves. #ConcernedStudent1950 #Mizzou #BlackLivesMatter — Melissa Click (@MelissaClickMSU) November 10, 2015 [FEATURED PHOTO: Screen grab, Mark Schierbecker/YouTube]

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Meet the (Former) Mizzou Media Professor Who Hates the Media

When apologizing, #SorryNotSorry is not a good media tactic.

Shawn Paul Wood

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Shawn Paul Wood