Hi Vallens Lab. I'm so sorry you got snowed out yesterday. We're going to have to shaft your Discussion Arena chats this week and next to plug in the media analysis presentation that got scrapped yesterday.
I'm starting this thread to give you a way to comment and post ideas about the Discussion Arena readings for this week and next. Have at it!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Rachel's Thread
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3 comments:
What are your thoughts on the hypothetical? Do you run insensitive letters to the editor? What about when they're racist? Where would YOU draw the line?
What are your reactions to the other readings? How much should news organizations restrict speech in order to not offend anyone?
I would run the insensitive letters, even the racist ones. By exposing readers' thoughts that conflict with the thoughts of the editor or writer, the publication achieves the most objective and honest image.
Publishing the racist comments, although they are offensive, should not be prohibited. They are just the reflections of the public; if that is what they feel, then so be it.
Also, as a reader, I admire when any publication runs comments that insult the articles inside. It proves that the publication isn't prideful, but fair, and has the maturity to address sides of an issue that differ from the ones present in their pages.
I agree that even offensive material has a place in the papers. As bad as it may be, it is part of what goes along with having the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press.
That being said, there are also responsibilities that go along with these freedoms, and I think the line needs to be drawn with libelous or slanderous material. This is often a hard distinction to draw though, so I think common sense really needs to play the largest part in what gets published and what does not.
Overall though, I think that the more viewpoints, no matter how insensitive they are, the better. It can only contribute to a better discourse, and if the ideas presented are that bad the backlash against them will reflect that (in theory). Let the community and its morals speak for themselves.
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