Newspapers always stand behind the first amendment, until they don’t.  An Oregon newspaper, the Oregonian, has decided to pull next week’s edition of Garry Trudeau‘s critically hailed and politically relevant comic strip Doonesbury.  In an article explaining their decision the newspaper feels that in their…

judgment, went over the line of good taste and humor in penning a series on abortion using graphic language and images inappropriate for a comics page.

The editors felt it was a “clear call” and follows the decision of other newspapers around the country, including the Los Angeles Times and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

If there’s one thing all journalists and newspapers should stand by, it’s the first amendment.  While the editors might not have agreed with what was being said, or the images depicted, Trudeau has a right to show them and by pulling the strip, the newspaper is censoring them.  Due to their taste, the comic is being pulled.  Not an outcry, not some complaint, just because it doesn’t fit with their world view.  I hope there doesn’t come a day when the Oregonian needs someone to stand up for their right to say what they choose.

You can check out the strips online, http://www.gocomics.com/doonesbury, and judge for yourself.