As a media outlet at Penn State, we certainly can sympathize with WKPS-FM (90.7), The Lion, whose funding the university cut to nothing.

The university should be eager to fund The Lion, which gives its members a valuable learning experience in the radio business, and provides its listeners with entertainment, information and debate.

But instead, both sides have been in a dispute over how long the university agreed to fund the station.

The Lion has accused the administration of censorship, saying that funding was cut because the station aired content critical of the university and its administration.

The university has denied this claim.

But if members at The Lion really believe this, or really were told that they cannot air content the administration found "unappealing," why would the radio station want to remain affiliated with the university?

In spirit of democracy and healthy debate, having a censored broadcast is almost as worthless as no broadcast at all.

Even though the station is located in the HUB-Robeson Center, The Lion might want to consider becoming independent.

It would certainly be tough at first -- if not a seemingly impossible task. The station currently airs very little advertising and is not well-known in the Penn State community.

But self-promotion could be the first step on the long path to independence and self-sufficiency.

Relatively few students know much or anything about The Lion. In a culture where most students only listen to the radio in the car, The Lion will need to come up with some innovative strategies to capture the student audience.

Maybe they could convince, for example, the White Building gym or Ritenour Building waiting room to air its station rather than a local, commercial station.

Use any resources available for other promotions, perhaps setting up outside Beaver Stadium. Hand out bumper stickers like other stations do -- or flyers, as a cheaper alternative.

If The Lion's members are passionate about the station, they will, unfortunately, need the patience to make it work.

Once they get the word out there, listeners will come.

When the listeners come, they can gain more advertising.

Then, although it's sad the university will not support them, The Lion will finally be on the road to self-sufficiency and independence.

And that might be the best situation for both parties.