Spring Break
09/24 Collegian Editor in Chief's statement
J. David McSwane
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: News
September 24, 2007
To: Members of the media and the University Community
From: J. David McSwane, Editor in Chief
Re: F-Bush Editorial
The CSU Republicans and others have asked me to resign. While I encourage these groups to submit their grievances to the CSU Board of Student Communications, I will not resign.
We as an Editorial Board made a statement. We stand by that statement, and I intend to defend our right to do so. We feel this statement, albeit unpopular, was necessary in communicating our opinion that it's time college students challenge the current political climate and speak out.
While the statement was undeniably political, we feel that the more important statement was in our support of freedom of the press and free speech on a college campus.
Our intention was to make a statement in support of the First Amendment by exercising the rights therein. This issue, we think, has snowballed into a national controversy because our use of profanity, which can't be stopped or punished by the university.
Colorado State University and Student Media advisers have no control over editorial content and, therefore, were not included in our decision to run the editorial. The university does not have the power to slash pay at the paper. The Collegian operates solely on advertising revenue.
I have seen no data as to how much revenue the paper has lost and cannot comment regarding other personnel issues. We will be working to gather more support from advertisers and community members.
As a matter of transparency, I chose to speak with some media outlets. As of today, I do not plan to speak to the media until the BSC decision is made.
It is extremely upsetting to find some media have manipulated my statements. This is, perhaps, a more subconscious reasoning behind our editorial. I think it's time the media stay strong in a time of secrecy and abridgement of our Constitutional rights rather than spending its time digging up the latest on celebrity divorces or the like.
To: Members of the media and the University Community
From: J. David McSwane, Editor in Chief
Re: F-Bush Editorial
The CSU Republicans and others have asked me to resign. While I encourage these groups to submit their grievances to the CSU Board of Student Communications, I will not resign.
We as an Editorial Board made a statement. We stand by that statement, and I intend to defend our right to do so. We feel this statement, albeit unpopular, was necessary in communicating our opinion that it's time college students challenge the current political climate and speak out.
While the statement was undeniably political, we feel that the more important statement was in our support of freedom of the press and free speech on a college campus.
Our intention was to make a statement in support of the First Amendment by exercising the rights therein. This issue, we think, has snowballed into a national controversy because our use of profanity, which can't be stopped or punished by the university.
Colorado State University and Student Media advisers have no control over editorial content and, therefore, were not included in our decision to run the editorial. The university does not have the power to slash pay at the paper. The Collegian operates solely on advertising revenue.
I have seen no data as to how much revenue the paper has lost and cannot comment regarding other personnel issues. We will be working to gather more support from advertisers and community members.
As a matter of transparency, I chose to speak with some media outlets. As of today, I do not plan to speak to the media until the BSC decision is made.
It is extremely upsetting to find some media have manipulated my statements. This is, perhaps, a more subconscious reasoning behind our editorial. I think it's time the media stay strong in a time of secrecy and abridgement of our Constitutional rights rather than spending its time digging up the latest on celebrity divorces or the like.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 109
Donald Hackett
posted 9/24/07 @ 4:37 PM MST
Swearing is not protected by the first amendment nor is the defamation of one's character especially with such an unrelated issue.
Do whats right and resign. (Continued…)
Michael Adam
posted 9/24/07 @ 4:42 PM MST
Well, I applaud your hiding behind the 1st amendment. There is no reason for you to resign. Do not resign; say and print anything you want. In fact, I say FUCK YOU!!! FUCK YOU everyday and in every way. (Continued…)
David Eads
posted 9/24/07 @ 4:43 PM MST
"you'll find the Editorial Board and me skipping in the opposite direction."
You are the Editor of our paper?
Try the following:
"you'll find the Editorial Board and I skipping in the opposite direction. (Continued…)
Josh Phillips
posted 9/24/07 @ 4:59 PM MST
Mr. McSwane,
I have already shared my sentiments on this issue, as have multitudes of people nationwide. If their voices have not reached you, perhaps the $30,000 loss in funding you have suffered will. (Continued…)
Former CSU Grad
posted 9/24/07 @ 5:05 PM MST
This is just childish. Mr. McSwane grow up.
somebadspellingerrir
Jenna Berry
posted 9/24/07 @ 5:06 PM MST
You are my hero, Mr. McSwane. I swear.
I will start a Collegian donation fund...or something. I support you all the way.
P
posted 9/24/07 @ 5:13 PM MST
"was necessary in communicating our opinion that it's time college students challenge the current political climate and speak out"
Well there was a start to a more articulate op-ed piece. (Continued…)
A CSU ALUMNI
posted 9/24/07 @ 5:27 PM MST
Welcome to the real world Mr. McSwane, you're right to free speach is protected, but you're right to use profane language in a public venue is not.
I too have the right to say whatever I want but my employer, like the CSU Board of Student Communications, is not required to keep me employed if they don't like my comments. (Continued…)
f*** em all
Patrick Williams
posted 9/24/07 @ 5:29 PM MST
David,
I am sure this has been a difficult time for you. It is not easy growing up and being an adult, but these lessons must be learned. I believe this lesson teaches you what the leader of our country faces on a daily basis from people just like you and that is to be firm on your convictions. (Continued…)
Dena Hance
posted 9/24/07 @ 5:30 PM MST
You are absolutely disingenuous. There is no way, in this age of information technology where news travels at the speed of light, and the atmosphere in the country against Bush, that you and your staff did not know that two inch headlines that start with the most obscene of obscenities, followed by the name of the president of the country which offers you the very freedom to spew you venom would bring this kind of attention. (Continued…)
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