Spring Break
Collegian editorial sparks national uproar
Editor will defend job to BSC
AARON HEDGE
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: News
One CSU teacher expressed his support for the Collegian's choice with a word of caution.
"I would support the paper no matter what it said," said local attorney and journalism instructor Lee Christian. "But I fear that it is going to lose some integrity among the community."
Christian applauded the Collegian editorial board for taking the initiative to start such controversy in an industry that he said has become less bold than it should be.
"It shows that he (McSwane) has got guts," he said. "I don't know that the mainstream media is doing what's necessary to promote freedom of speech."
He said some other publications refuse to spell the f word out because they fear social ramifications. "This shows what power that word has when newspapers are afraid to print it."
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Christian had advocated for free speech in a Collegian article printed the same day as the controversial editorial.
One CSU student called into question the sincerity of the Collegian's editorial decisions, mentioning a mistake in a news story several weeks ago.
"The first article, when they used "s---" got more attention than it should have and to print something like this makes me wonder if they are really sorry for the first article," said Jessica Petrisak, a biological science freshman.
But McSwane says that is a completely different issue as a hard news story.
But others students support the editorial board's actions.
"My opinion is that they should say whatever … they want to say," said Matthew Johnson, an open option freshman.
CSU College Republicans issued a written request Saturday for McSwane to resign his position.
"This is not a free speech issue," the request stated. "(I)t is an issue of journalistic integrity."
The group will hold a petition signing in the Plaza asking for McSwane's resignation Monday.
Senior reporter Aaron Hedge can be reached at news@collegian.com.
"I would support the paper no matter what it said," said local attorney and journalism instructor Lee Christian. "But I fear that it is going to lose some integrity among the community."
Christian applauded the Collegian editorial board for taking the initiative to start such controversy in an industry that he said has become less bold than it should be.
"It shows that he (McSwane) has got guts," he said. "I don't know that the mainstream media is doing what's necessary to promote freedom of speech."
He said some other publications refuse to spell the f word out because they fear social ramifications. "This shows what power that word has when newspapers are afraid to print it."
.
Christian had advocated for free speech in a Collegian article printed the same day as the controversial editorial.
One CSU student called into question the sincerity of the Collegian's editorial decisions, mentioning a mistake in a news story several weeks ago.
"The first article, when they used "s---" got more attention than it should have and to print something like this makes me wonder if they are really sorry for the first article," said Jessica Petrisak, a biological science freshman.
But McSwane says that is a completely different issue as a hard news story.
But others students support the editorial board's actions.
"My opinion is that they should say whatever … they want to say," said Matthew Johnson, an open option freshman.
CSU College Republicans issued a written request Saturday for McSwane to resign his position.
"This is not a free speech issue," the request stated. "(I)t is an issue of journalistic integrity."
The group will hold a petition signing in the Plaza asking for McSwane's resignation Monday.
Senior reporter Aaron Hedge can be reached at news@collegian.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 205
Nick Paradise
posted 9/24/07 @ 12:18 AM MST
To the editorial department,
I am sure this will be one of many letters you receive in reaction to the very short editorial you wrote about President Bush. (Continued…)
Susan Smith
posted 9/24/07 @ 12:30 AM MST
Nick- WELL SAID. McSwane has caused a lot of hurt and annoyance for many people affiliated with CSU. I am glad you keep up with what is going on at CSU and it is greatly disappointing that McSwane thinks it is appropriate to publish such vulgarity. (Continued…)
Renee Markowski
posted 9/24/07 @ 1:20 AM MST
It's a real shame that good money is being wasted on educating the student editors of the Collegian, given that they lack both creativity and common sense. (Continued…)
Scott
posted 9/24/07 @ 1:24 AM MST
KEEP YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS OUT OF YOUR REPORTING!
Paul
posted 9/24/07 @ 1:42 AM MST
Collegian, you've conditioned me to expect so little from you already. Inane articles about the dangers of sleep deprivation, or meningitis in the residence halls, eating disorders, binge drinking, or some other nonsense rehashed year after year. (Continued…)
Zack Girson
posted 9/24/07 @ 2:09 AM MST
"We have sections of our student plaza dedicated to this idea."
You must be new to this country. Let me be the first to say, "Welcome!" However, before you get too settled in, I feel compelled to remind you that CSU is in fact a public institution and, as such, the campus is subject to the first Amendment. (Continued…)
Zack Girson
Zack Girson
posted 9/24/07 @ 2:10 AM MST
"We have sections of our student plaza dedicated to this idea."
You must be new to this country. Let me be the first to say, "Welcome!" However, before you get too settled in, I feel compelled to remind you that CSU is in fact a public institution and, as such, the campus is subject to the first Amendment. (Continued…)
Zack Girson
Zack Girson
posted 9/24/07 @ 2:13 AM MST
Apologies for the double post. Moderators, please delete one.
Adam
posted 9/24/07 @ 2:51 AM MST
You fair-weather alums remind me of the controlling parent who disowns his/her children the second they do something that "reflects poorly" upon the family. (Continued…)
Anton Bursch
posted 9/24/07 @ 3:22 AM MST
The only thing of national importance that has and likely ever will be printed by The Rocky Mountain Colligian is Fuck Bush.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. (Continued…)
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