Student Columnist Under Fire
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Alex Knepper, sophomore at American University, wrote an article on the way women will attend a "frat party" and then in the end should not be saying anything about rape. He says that the women are indicating that they want sex if they attend and get drunk.
Man
y people have critized the article and are wanting the staff of the school paper to fire the student who wrote the article. The staff and editors are standing behind the student. While they do not nessarily agree with the article, they are against censoring the article. Many students seemed appauld by the column and the decision to publish it.
y people have critized the article and are wanting the staff of the school paper to fire the student who wrote the article. The staff and editors are standing behind the student. While they do not nessarily agree with the article, they are against censoring the article. Many students seemed appauld by the column and the decision to publish it. A group of students are delivering a list of demands to the staff and asking that the editors actually fire Knepper and make him apoligize. They will make fliers, signs and other means to show support against the article.
6 comments:
Unfortunately, this is just one more example of freedom of speech at work. While his opinion may be ignorant, he certanily has the right to voice it.
However, I would believe that the school paper needs to be smarter in the future about the type of content they publish, understanding that just because an opinion is protected does not mean it should be voiced.
This was a great story to blog about, especially for most of the readers of this blog - college students in a media class.
I am personally appalled by the story and what the student wrote, however as a journalist I have to say that he has the right to voice his opinion and publish this article. I don't believe that he should be fired, but maybe he should issue an apology for offending anyone to save his own name.
While this student journalist does have a right to voice his opinion, he should also consider how readers may respond to his perspective. He has likely lost substantial credibility with the article, and the staff of the paper has as well.
Maybe he was going for the "wow" factor to gain some recognition. Negative behaviors seem to be something the media focuses on, thus getting his name out there or developing a greater following, with readers waiting to read his next shocking viewpoint.
Here is why he shouldn't be let go. He has the right to say what he wants when he wants even if it offends everyone in the nation. If certain people don't like it or think it is controversial then have the editors pull the story, but as far as firing this kid for writing a controversial story that is too far. Even if he was an idiot about this which I am gathering he was, he has the right to be an idiot and other people have the right to let it bug them or just take it for what it is. Just let it go in one ear and our the other if you don't like it.
I also agree that the writer has the write to say whatever he wants. The publisher and editor also have the right under the first ammendment to do such thing. While his story showed some lack of intelligence and grace, it was his opinion. Yes, he probably got the response he was looking for...to induce discussion and opinions about said topic. He should also expect that back lash and hate mail from writing a story about such a controversial topic.
Where was the editor?
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