Critic (magazine)

Critic

Editor	Hugh Baird
Technical Editor	Kathryn Gilbertson
Categories	Student Magazine
Frequency	Weekly - 27× yearly
Circulation	5,000 (21,000 readers)
Publisher	Planet Media Dunedin Ltd.
Year founded	1925
Company	Otago University Students' Association (OUSA)
Country	New Zealand
Based in	Dunedin, Otago
Language	English
Website	www.critic.co.nz
ISSN	0111-0365
OCLC number	173348156

Critic is the official magazine of the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) of the University of Otago. It is freely available around both the university's campus and selected sites in Dunedin city weekly during term time. Critic is New Zealand's longest-running student newspaper, having been published since 1925. Weekly circulation is 5,000 copies, with an estimated readership of 21,000.

Content

Critic's content is primarily targeted to cater for its student demographic and often examines provocative, controversial, taboo and arguably offensive subject matter. Traditionally, critic has had 'themed' issues such as "The Sex Issue" or "The Drugs Issue", however, recent years have seen a movement away from overtly stipulated themes. Although content varies year to year, generally the publication covers a wide variety of local, nation and international news; as well as weekly features, columnists, comics, poetry, letters and photography.

Controversy

The Office of Film and Literature Classification in 2006 banned an issue of the magazine, due to it containing a "how-to-guide" on drug rape.^[1] Possession or distribution of this issue was deemed illegal.

In 2010 The Press Council upheld a complaint against Critic over the article 'The Bum at the Bottom of the World', which depicted three people the publication deemed homeless and vagrant.^[2][3]

In 2013 Critic's Editor Callum Fredric received a $35,000 payout after a series of personal disputes with OUSA General Manager Darel Hall. Fredric was suspended by Hall on Friday 3 May, and was trespassed from OUSA buildings by Hall after attending a meeting on Monday 6 May to explain the situation to staff, before being asked to leave by Police. After filing legal proceedings, Fredric accepted a $35,000 settlement package from OUSA on Friday 17 May, and resigned as Editor.^[4][5][6]

Design

The publication was tabloid in size until 2002, when it went quarterfold (around A4 size). The design of critic is often significantly changed each year as new designers are employed. In 2011 Critic's Art Director, Andrew Jacombs, had the covers of Critic displayed in the 2012 Coverjunkie "Best Of" Publication, alongside some of the world's most leading titles, such as TIME, Esquire, The New Yorker, Vogue, Sports Illustrated and lift-outs from the New York Times and United Kingdom weekly The Sunday Times.^[7][8]

Awards and nominations

Critic is a member of the Aotearoa Student Press Association (ASPA), and was awarded Best Publication in the annual ASPA awards in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013.^[9] In 2010 "Critic" won Best Publication, Best Editorial Writer, Best Paid News Reporter, Best Illustrator, and Best Series. The unanimous winner for 2010, Critic received the highest possible score from all judges and was praised for being "The only magazine this year that didn’t just ask the audience to notice how smart it was; instead, it went out and proved it by doing smart, creative, interesting things."^[10] In 2011 Critic won Best Education Series, Best News Writer, Best Feature Writer and Best Feature.^[11] In 2012 Critic won best publication best editorial, best series and best website.^[12] In 2013 Critic won best publication, best design, best cover, best reviewer, best columnist and best sports writer.^[9] In 2014 Critic won Best Publication, Best Design, Best Feature Illustration and Best Feature Writer (2014 Aotearoa Student Press Awards).

References

External links

• Critic's Official Site