Publication could deter future qualified candidates
By Elizabeth Middleton
Published on Thursday, March 1, 2007
To the Editor:
In response to the article of Paul Heintz '06 concerning censorship ("Student Press Pushing Censorship," Feb. 27), I wish to offer several clarifications. My Dartmouth Free Press article Heintz quoted was written in response to what I saw as several then-recent incidences of inaccurate reporting by The D and a failure to acknowledge or address those problems. A more complete reading of the article reveals: "It is somewhat debatable but generally accepted that Dartmouth College does not have a speech code, and I do not wish to advocate that one be imposed. However, if The Dartmouth wishes to maintain the respect of its readers, it must convince them that what it publishes is accurate and reliable."
I suggested the administration get involved only when the paper repeatedly printed untrue statements, not articles the administration may not like. I also offer my support to Carlos Mejia '08. Heintz leaves out Mejia's most compelling reason The D should have withheld certain information from print. Releasing the names of candidates could deter qualified applicants from seeking out our institution in the future for fear of their names being made public and facing repercussions in their current position. Mejia is not suggesting that the administration punish The D in any way. Consider that The D regularly withholds the names of student sources for the sole purpose of protecting the source from the sanctions of underage drinking and the like.