Trying to stomp out the student press
As much as I dislike the nastiness of anonymous comments, trying to shut down a school newspaper that allows them is a whole new level of harm.
The staff of Virginia Tech’s Collegiate Times must be allowed the freedom to practice and learn journalism and the difficult decisions inherent to the craft. One of those decisions is taste and decorum in opinion – choosing where to draw the line in comments in print and online.
The Foundation for Indvidual Rights in Education is correct. The standards of civility, sensitivity and respect in expression are ideal, but should be aspirational.
Silencing a student newspaper is a drastic step, beyond disrespectful. It’s Draconian.
