I am writing in response to the paid advertisement titled “Stop the Jihad On Campus” which I came across in last Friday’s Cavalier Daily. All over the world, many different people have many different opinions. I believe people should exercise free speech. The question of course comes down to the public consumption of these ideas. Should they be allowed to share their ideas with the public ultimately? Should they be allowed to say whatever they want regardless of the quality, validity or truthfulness of their ideas? Or should they be allowed or promoted in mass media to share their ideas even if these ideas are harmful to the society that we all live in? For instance, are they promoting killing? Are they advising lethal drug use? Are they disrupting harmony and peace in the society? Are they promoting child pornography? Are they intentionally or unintentionally provoking chaos? Are they inciting hatred between different ethnic/religious groups? Are they promoting civil war? You can diversify these questions obviously.
In my opinion it is great that The Cavalier Daily promotes freedom of expression. However, you have a social responsibility not to publish hostile ideas/opinions expressed in any given paid ad that would cause chaos or would harm peace and harmony in our community. It is my humble opinion that you should change your advertising policy and start using judgment before publishing an ad that fits into the categories listed above.
Tezer Battal
Charlottesville Resident
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