Special SEXtion

There was an article published May 11, 2010 addressing a university newspaper that had an edition on sex called a “Special SEXtion,” that the Board of Regents was not very pleased with. The “Special SEXtion” had articles on many touchy subjects ranging from subjects such as sexting, to sexually transmitted diseases, all the way to sexual assault.

The Board was distressed about the edition and was trying to censor it -one member claiming that he was offended by it- and also claiming that they fund the paper and were almost subtly threatening to stop funding it if the paper did not see it their way. However, the edition, blunt as it was, was not really doing anyone harm.

First, the paper did have the freedom of speech. They had the right to express all of their opinions and views on the chosen topic. And it’s not like the articles were obscene. A long as it did not interfere with any other persons’ rights they had that right to publish that edition.
Second, the purpose of the edition was not to offend anyone. It was merely to inform the public on everything sex. People probably learned something new and benefited from the information that the paper had given them. For instance, if the article on STDs listed many of the common STDs and the symptoms, the public benefitted from that because they were just given things to look for if they are sexually active or are planning to be sexually active.

Third, they told the audience a place where they can seek help for various STDs and such. A place that was located on campus. That’s advertising right there, they were helping the university as much as the people who were reading the articles.

The paper should fight the Board of Regents on their future editions, if problems arise in the future. They shouldn’t let anyone take away their first amendment rights, after all.

Go here for the full article.