2008 Woodie Awards
Editor's decison to run swear word created unintended results
A Colorado State student's use of a four-letter expletive in an editorial last month created a nationwide controversy and sparked up discussion on freedom of speech, but one editor feels he failed to make a valid argument
Jon Miller
Issue date:
10/10/07
Section:
Opinion
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Dave McSwane, editor-
in-chief of the Rocky
Mountain Collegian at
Colorado State University,
made a bold move on Sept.
21 when he decided to
publish a four word opinion
piece that read simply,
"Taser this…F--- Bush."
So again, the controversy
of free speech in the hands
of college students was
ignited.
Critics say McSwane's
decision was immature and
sophomoric, adding weight
to the cause of restricted
free speech on college campuses
across the country.
Supporters of McSwane say
he was simply demonstrating
his right to freedom of
the press.
McSwane claims that
the editorial piece, which
ran in headline-sized font,
was meant to stir up his
campus community and
get them talking about free
speech. Well, I think he hit
his target, but was it the
best approach?
I am usually in favor of
anything that may cause
a controversy. I believe
in being part of the vocal
minority if it will have an
impact on how the silent
majority thinks.
But I also know that in
order to begin any thought
provoking conversation
about the ails of society,
you must first have some
type of argument and evidence
to support that argument.
Last year, the cliché debate
of free speech touched the
Olympic College campus
also, when The Olympian
ran an ad showing scantily-
dressed young women
endorsing stripping as a
great college job. Most students
will remember the
controversy that swept the
campus, inspiring students
to pick up the paper and
speak thier mind for or
against the ad.
What's similar about
these two incidences is both
newspapers said the controversy
boosted their readership
and brought attention
to their mostly unnoticed
papers. But that's where
the similarities end.
Some would argue that
The Olympian had a legitimate
economical reason to
run the ad and the extra
income was a big factor in
in-chief of the Rocky
Mountain Collegian at
Colorado State University,
made a bold move on Sept.
21 when he decided to
publish a four word opinion
piece that read simply,
"Taser this…F--- Bush."
So again, the controversy
of free speech in the hands
of college students was
ignited.
Critics say McSwane's
decision was immature and
sophomoric, adding weight
to the cause of restricted
free speech on college campuses
across the country.
Supporters of McSwane say
he was simply demonstrating
his right to freedom of
the press.
McSwane claims that
the editorial piece, which
ran in headline-sized font,
was meant to stir up his
campus community and
get them talking about free
speech. Well, I think he hit
his target, but was it the
best approach?
I am usually in favor of
anything that may cause
a controversy. I believe
in being part of the vocal
minority if it will have an
impact on how the silent
majority thinks.
But I also know that in
order to begin any thought
provoking conversation
about the ails of society,
you must first have some
type of argument and evidence
to support that argument.
Last year, the cliché debate
of free speech touched the
Olympic College campus
also, when The Olympian
ran an ad showing scantily-
dressed young women
endorsing stripping as a
great college job. Most students
will remember the
controversy that swept the
campus, inspiring students
to pick up the paper and
speak thier mind for or
against the ad.
What's similar about
these two incidences is both
newspapers said the controversy
boosted their readership
and brought attention
to their mostly unnoticed
papers. But that's where
the similarities end.
Some would argue that
The Olympian had a legitimate
economical reason to
run the ad and the extra
income was a big factor in
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