What a horrible week, one where two legendary men lost their battles with cancer at just 69. David Bowie and Alan Rickman were greats that people grew up with, learned from and aspired to be – and each shared a passion for creativity, something that we, no matter how much the public will disagree, hold close to our hearts as journalists.

On a lighter note, here are some of the best stories I found this week:

Leaked: Warwick wants to scrap Freedom of Information

By Hiran Adhia and Connor Woodman for The Boar

Image: The Boar

Yesterday, The Boar revealed it had been leaked a draft copy of Warwick University’s green paper consultation response to the government’s decision to get rid of FOI. In it, Warwick says “universities should not remain within the scope of the Freedom of Information Act.”

If accepted, The Boar fears the proposal will have a catastrophic effect on student journalism. The Editors-in-Chief of the Boar and Warwick Globalist are calling on Warwick to alter its public position on Freedom of Information: in favour of transparency, openness, and democracy.

Read more

David Bowie and the grief police

By Liam Marchant for Epigram

Image: Thierry Ehrmann/Flickr

In this powerful feature Liam Marchant explores the worlds of social media and grief – and what happens when they clash.

Read more

Concrete’s drugs and alcohol supplement

By Various for Concrete

We loved this investigative survey that Concrete compiled into a 27 page supplement – it’s packed full of articles, opinion pieces and stats. Impressive stuff!

Read

Imperial professor makes questionable race comments in new book

Dr Lamb bemoans “the mess which over-zealous multiculturalism has got Britain into”

By Grace Rahman for Felix Online

Image: Felix

One of Imperial’s Emeritus professors has published a book on human diversity, in which he claims that London has “‘no-go’ areas at night for white people”.

He also wrote that having “one race” would “help a nation minimise internal and external conflicts”. Both comments are uncited, and appear in the book’s introduction, which is available online.

Read more

Pluto takes on Source bar’s ‘diablo’ chicken wing challenge

By Hannah Mason for Pluto

Image: Pluto

We love food comps at the SPA, and anything with Nandos-style, fiery chicken makes us hungry. Just me? Didn’t think so. But could Pluto handle it?

Find out 

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Flash Friday is a weekly round-up that aims to showcase the most engaging student news stories reported by our member publications. If you want to submit a story, share your content with us at communciations@spajournalism.com or tweet us @SPAJournalism using the hashtag #FlashFriday.