Matthew Fabian
Mfabian1@uwyo.edu
The Branding Iron, and print media in general, is meant to provide a platform to promote the free marketplace of ideas.
A marketplace where people are free to write their opinions, and provide insight into the world that nobody else can claim. A marketplace that invigorates discussion, creates new ideas and drives innovation. The Branding Iron strives to let students voice their opinions, regardless of the content. As Editor-in-Chief of this publication, I walk into the office every morning fully recognizing I will hear and read opinions that make me cringe. I copy-edit opinions that are inflammatory. Before the paper hits print, I have a fairly good idea of what stories will send a flood of strongly-worded emails to my inbox.
That being said, these stories still make it on the pages of the Branding Iron. I consider ‘censoring’ a borderline curse word. Writers at the Branding Iron will never have to worry about whether their opinion is legitimate enough to hit print. Readers that want to provide letters to the editor will always have a place in our paper. No matter the content, (outside of libel, incitement of violence and downright hate speech) every opinion will be considered for publication at the Branding Iron. Why? The First Amendment says so.
The First Amendment guarantees a person is able to speak his or her mind, regardless if someone within earshot might be offended. The Branding Iron is not labeled as a safe space. I cannot guarantee, nor will I guarantee, that every time you pick up this publication your notions or biases will be reinforced. I actually hope they are challenged, every single day of your life. This is hardly out of spite. This comes from a place of love. It is not the obligation of the media to hold your hand and explain why your opinions are right. It is the obligation of the media to prompt discussion and discourse on ideas. The end result of an individual, or a group of individuals, being offended is hardly an indictment of the paper.
Every story, with few exceptions, provides the byline of the writer. Part of that byline is an email. My own email is included on this very piece. We do this for accountability reasons. If there is a piece so offensive and appalling, I encourage you to write an email to the writer and myself. That is the best part about this job. Hearing others dissent our own opinions is the fun aspect of writing for the paper. It challenges us to be better writers, better editors and better people.
A result that will never happen is backtracking, or apologizing, for publishing an opinion (once again; libel, incitement of violence and hate speech being the exception). I don’t care if feelings get hurt. The First Amendment does not give a damn if someone is offended, and neither do I. What I do care about is promoting speech rights without being the arbiter of good and evil. That’s not my place, that’s not my role. I want to provide a place where hurt feelings and offended people do not curtail speech.
Enjoy the rest of your week, and go Pokes.
