Letter from Collegian Editor in Chief regarding Bush statement
J. David McSwane
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
To: University Community and Collegian readers
From: J. David McSwane, Editor in Chief
Re: Collegian editorial
On Friday, September 21, the The Rocky Mountain Collegian editorial board printed a statement bashing President Bush in its Opinion section in an effort to highlight the importance of free speech on a college campus. In doing so, the editorial board and I realized the statement was controversial and unpopular among some students and community members.
This letter should serve as an explanation to readers who were offended and upset by the editorial statement. While the editorial board feels strongly with regard to first amendment issues, we have found the unintended consequences of such a bold statement to be extremely disheartening.
As a student-run publication with a proud 116-year tradition of serving Colorado State University Students and the surrounding communities, it is our responsibility to uphold the standards set by my predecessors. We intend to continue this tradition.
As local and national media will inevitably jump on this controversy, I strongly urge the university community to try and understand that the intentions of the students on staff, including me, were not to cause harm, but rather to reinforce the importance of free speech at our great institution. My staff and I are extremely proud to be CSU students and members of this amazing community, and it is my sincere hope that our readers understand our intentions were not malicious.
The First Amendment is at the very core of what we do as a newspaper. We as journalists wish to celebrate it, utilize it and, sometimes, defend it. The Collegian editorial board, a group of seven student editors charged with determining a staff editorial for each issue, voted to run the editorial statement. This vote was a split vote, but the board as a whole as agreed to stand behind this decision and to continue the Collegian tradition.
Finally, we are available to any students or community members who wish to voice their complaints, feedback or opinions regarding this issue. Please don't hesitate to send your letters to letters@collegian.com or by submitting them online at www.collegian.com.
Sincerely,
J. David McSwane
Editor in Chief
From: J. David McSwane, Editor in Chief
Re: Collegian editorial
On Friday, September 21, the The Rocky Mountain Collegian editorial board printed a statement bashing President Bush in its Opinion section in an effort to highlight the importance of free speech on a college campus. In doing so, the editorial board and I realized the statement was controversial and unpopular among some students and community members.
This letter should serve as an explanation to readers who were offended and upset by the editorial statement. While the editorial board feels strongly with regard to first amendment issues, we have found the unintended consequences of such a bold statement to be extremely disheartening.
As a student-run publication with a proud 116-year tradition of serving Colorado State University Students and the surrounding communities, it is our responsibility to uphold the standards set by my predecessors. We intend to continue this tradition.
As local and national media will inevitably jump on this controversy, I strongly urge the university community to try and understand that the intentions of the students on staff, including me, were not to cause harm, but rather to reinforce the importance of free speech at our great institution. My staff and I are extremely proud to be CSU students and members of this amazing community, and it is my sincere hope that our readers understand our intentions were not malicious.
The First Amendment is at the very core of what we do as a newspaper. We as journalists wish to celebrate it, utilize it and, sometimes, defend it. The Collegian editorial board, a group of seven student editors charged with determining a staff editorial for each issue, voted to run the editorial statement. This vote was a split vote, but the board as a whole as agreed to stand behind this decision and to continue the Collegian tradition.
Finally, we are available to any students or community members who wish to voice their complaints, feedback or opinions regarding this issue. Please don't hesitate to send your letters to letters@collegian.com or by submitting them online at www.collegian.com.
Sincerely,
J. David McSwane
Editor in Chief
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 711
James Holt
posted 9/21/07 @ 3:17 PM MST
"An effort to highlight the importance of free speech"? That comment was a mockery of free speech and a disgrace.
Yes, the first amendment is a right and one to be protected. (Continued…)
pete
pete
posted 9/21/07 @ 3:34 PM MST
Don't you feel diminished by such immature writing?
Are you proud that you can say the "f-word" Wow! you must be grown-ups now!
Rob O
posted 9/21/07 @ 3:53 PM MST
You, sir, are a moron. Free speech includes the right to criticize when someone reveals their own stupidity.
Let me be perfectly clear here: you can say and print what you want. (Continued…)
Steve Lansberg
posted 9/21/07 @ 4:04 PM MST
Freedom of the press is one of the foundations of America.
The Collegian's leverage of this fundamental right to broadcast an offensive sexual profanity -- by itself -- reeks of yellow journalism in its most basic form. (Continued…)
Shawn Klawitter
posted 9/21/07 @ 4:08 PM MST
I have some questions for you.
you state "The First Amendment is at the very core of what we do as a newspaper. We as journalists wish to celebrate it, utilize it and, sometimes, defend it. (Continued…)
David Gilbert
posted 9/21/07 @ 4:19 PM MST
God damn, people, are you all so thick you don't get it? The editorial board was pushing the limits of free speech. It is indeed disheartening to see so many people pissing their pants over an (OMG OFFENSIVE) exercise in utilizing the first amendment. (Continued…)
Steve the Tuna
posted 9/21/07 @ 4:24 PM MST
No matter how revolting, gut-wrenching, tasteless, scatalogical, hateful, psychotic or violent, it is obviously your right to print whatever you want. (Continued…)
Steve Lansberg
posted 9/21/07 @ 4:29 PM MST
David Gilbert,
Interesting that you're in such a hurry to criticize those who are "pissing their pants" and "embarrassing themselves". It's unfortunate you find criticism of editorial content to be disheartening. (Continued…)
jodaph
Josh Phillips
posted 9/21/07 @ 4:38 PM MST
Mr. McSwane,
To use the term "freedom of speech" implies that your editorial staff engages in some sort of, albeit sometimes accidental, intelligent debate. (Continued…)
Grace Malone
posted 9/21/07 @ 4:39 PM MST
I am proud to have the editors of my school's newspaper express their First Amendment rights. This made my year.
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