A Question of Free Speech?

M. Stephen Sheldon’s letter (“The Place for Ideas,” Times Valley Edition, April 19) dealt with a controversy that arose when Los Angeles Valley Star Editor in Chief Chris Mayda published an opinion piece, “Do Literacy and Babies Mix?”

Sheldon asks: “Shouldn’t the faculty of a department of journalism be teaching its students that a newspaper has both the right and the obligation to publish all reasonable facts and ideas?”

My response is a resounding “Yes!”

As was pointed out in the original article (“Valley College News Column Ignites Protests and Threats,” Valley Edition, April 11), I completely supported Mayda’s right, under the First Amendment, to express and publish her views. She has an absolute right to do so.

Since I have been adviser to the Star, I have never censored any opinion piece of any idea--”reasonable” or otherwise. The students make the decisions on what to publish. Likewise, Mayda has never censored another student’s opinion in her capacity as editor in chief.

The opinions of the angry crowd who called for Ms. Mayda’s resignation because they did not like what she wrote are not my opinions. The opinions of the unnamed journalism students who consider the article to be “too irresponsible to be protected by constitutional safeguards” are not my opinions.

My personal philosophy is simple:

* Journalists should vigorously discuss ideas that are out of the mainstream, unpopular, sensitive or not “politically correct.” You can’t be timid and be a journalist.

* Journalists must invite criticism of their ideas. If the idea is wrong or flawed, then the critics must prove it. Criticism by name-calling only impedes the educational process and avoids having to deal with the truth or untruth of the idea.

* Journalists must exercise the right to express ideas that are offensive to some, both those in power and those who are not powerless. The empowered are safe targets; the disempowered are not. Journalists must retain the right to criticize the majority and the minority. No one has a monopoly on the truth.

* Finally, journalists must avoid political correctness, merely another word for censorship. It can handcuff a journalist.

This is what I teach as a journalism professor at Valley College. Obviously, many students disagree. That is their right. Every person’s views should be given expression in the press, not only those whose views happen to be currently in political favor.

TONY CIFARELLI, Van Nuys. Cifarelli is advis e r to the Valley Star at Los Angeles Valley College .