Students protesting The State News voiced their opposition Friday at a Board of Directors meeting by launching a campaign today against MSU's independent newspaper.

The State News advertising policy came under fire following a series of campustruth.org ads published in The State News beginning in late February.

One of the half-page ads showed a split view, with Palestinians celebrating the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on one side and Israelis mourning the attacks on the other.

The text, which read, "There are two sides to every story, but only one truth," was printed at the bottom of each ad.

Students for Economic Justice member David Mitchell said protesters will start their own independent newspaper "run by students that doesn't discriminate against anyone" and hand out fliers showing students how to get their $5 State News tax refunded.

Mitchell said he was disappointed in The State News for running the controversial ads and planning has been in place for a few months for the campaign against The State News.

The board also discussed revisions to The State News advertising policy that would clarify the acceptance of questionable ads, but the issue was tabled until the next meeting to allow more discussion time.

"The State News operates under a current policy that has worked well in the past, but, like all policies, it can be made better as we gain greater insight over time," State News Advertising Manager Jonathan Shaye said. "I feel the proposed policy changes will bring us in line with other professional newspapers."

Additions would include a second paragraph with more specific details regarding ads that may be published and that are considered appropriate.

Editor-in-chief Kevin Hardy voiced his opinion against the additions to The State News advertising policy and said they wouldn't be effective.

"I feel it is unnecessary and it does not improve the current ad policy and just adds to the confusion." he said. "It doesn't change what the paper thinks is acceptable."

Hardy said adding more adjectives in the second paragraph for clarification won't please everyone and is not needed.

"It essentially limits future political speech that should be able to be made in the newspaper," Hardy said.

He added that the groups planning to protest the newspaper also disagree with the possible change in policy.

"These groups aren't happy with that second paragraph,"he said. "No one is satisfied with that second paragraph."

State News Board Member Richard Milliman said the policy needs to be changed for the future and the past need not be considered.

"These particular ads are besides the point," he said.

It's not unusual, Milliman said, for a newspaper to have a policy similar to the revised version of The State News advertising policy.

"Of course people will look for loopholes," he said. "You can't protect against people being critical."

The State News Board of Directors next meets on Sept. 26. The meeting is open to the public.