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Case Eleven : Editorial POVs

You were the Editor

A children's puzzle book that was to be removed from stores because of its racist content shows up on the shelves of some local stores. A reporter outlines the situation and reports the comments of a minority group, which considers the material highly offensive. The book's distributor agrees the material is racist and promises to ask all merchants who hadn't yet complied to remove it from sale, but has no way of forcing compliance.

Your reporter describes the book in detail and includes some of the offensive terms it uses to describe the minority. Do you:

A.  Include the specific details of the book, including the offensive wording so that readers may understand its racist content and know what to look for and guard against.

Readers  34%
Editors  48%

B. 
Decide the story naming the puzzle book, the store where it was found and a general description of content is sufficient, without the need for giving readers explicit details of offensive language.

Readers  66%
Editors  53%


Readers comments:

"Print what is really stated. The readers can decide for themselves. Changed or left out it will keep readers wondering."

"Give examples of offensive racist statements. The buying public should be made aware."




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Case Eleven : Editorial POVs - Handout  

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