Joelle McGinnis urges all of us to “Say no to censorship” in the Oct. 12 issue of The Northern Star. Ms. McGinnis also edits the editorial page for this newspaper, which includes the “Letters” section.

On Sept. 26, a letter was sent to Ms. McGinnis in response to a column that the paper published. About one-third of the letter did not appear—it was “edited,” presumably because of the letter’s length.

The edited portions of the letter criticized both the columnist and this newspaper. The criticisms were valid, but space limitation prevented the paper from printing all of the letter—so the most highly critical paragraphs were removed.

Today’s letter would not have been written, but for Ms. McGinnis making such an eloquent case against censorship and pointing out a recent example of such. I thought a more local example of this insipid art might be very appropriate.

Ms. McGinnis quotes an advertisement opposing censorship rightly, “When somebody makes decisions about what you can see and hear, you don’t have to think as much.” I agree with this sentiment wholehartedly and ask Ms. McGinnis if she is prepared to practice what she so fervently preaches?

I think that Ms. McGinnis has placed a responsibilty upon herself to print letters as they are written. Many times the only other material that appears on the Letters page is advertising; there are days when the Letters section is replaced entirely with advertising!

“The Northern Star welcomes letters to the editor and prints as many as space permits, reserving the right to edit.” Does this mean that every student that has an opinion will be allowed to express it, or does it mean that readers may not criticize the newspaper—and that space limitations will be determined by advertising sales?

Censorship, thy name is editor!

Chris Carson

Graduate Student

College of Business