Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief 12" year, the Vancouver Public Library as protested because they allowed a controversial feminist writer, Meghan Murphy to speak there. As a result, they were rejected from the 2019 Vancouver Pride Parade. At the time, they claimed that “Free speech and intellectual freedoms are fundamental values of public libraries.” Recently, they have updated their booking policies and require pre-screening for events. According to their new draft “The Room 1020 - 700 Royal Ave. Douglas College New Westminster, BC, V3L 5B2 604-525-3542 Jessica Berget o Editor-in-Chief i-% M editor@theotherpress.ca Position Open News Editor © news@theotherpress.ca Morgan Hannah & Life & Style Editor g M lifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca Position Open Entertainment Editor WM humour@theotherpress.ca Cl ) James Moore #, ~—sLayout Manager wail). © layout@theotherpress.ca f Lauren Kelly pA) Graphics Manager atte, | graphics@theotherpress.ca Library’s values include diversity, respectful spaces, intellectual freedom and access for all.” It goes on to say “The library believes that freedom of expression and access to ideas and information are essential to the health and development of a democratic society. We acknowledge that the library’s spaces may be used by those who express ideas that may be contrary to the Library’s vision and values.” The new draft the Vancouver public library puts in place is one I think all institutions should base their policy on. Emphasis on intellectual freedom and free speech. It’s certainly one that I base this paper on. I stand with Vancouver Public Library’s commitment to intellectual @ theotherpress.ca © editor@theotherpress.ca ¥ © /theotherpress f/douglasotherpress Janis McMath Assistant Editor M assistant@theotherpress.ca Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor M arts@theotherpress.ca Position Open Opinions Editor M opinions@theotherpress.ca Caroline Ho Web Editor © webeditor@theotherpress.ca Nhi Jenny' Vo Production Assistant re Jacey Gibb Distribution Manager os ae. re ae i Stand with Vancouver Public Library and free speech \, freedom. They reiterate their stance by saying “In some instances they may, on a personal level, view them as offensive or harmful. However, in keeping with its value of intellectual freedom, the Library will not restrict freedom of expression beyond the limits prescribed by Canadian law.’ The library has taken a strong position with intellectual freedom, and it is much needed. Healthy discussion and debate cannot happen unless there is conversation on both sides. Institutions should be able to let these discussions take place without having to defend their own political affiliations or be scrutinized. Just because they host controversial talks, Brittney MacDonald Business Manager Cara Seccafien Illustrator Atiba Nelson Staff Reporter Craig Allan Tania Arora EG Manilag Michele Provenzano Staff Writers Billy Bui Staff Photographer Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist Tyran Batten Rommel Cadag Michelle Lim Tonya Smith Richard Dick Contributors doesn’t mean they have the same views or ideologies. They are simply exercising their commitment to free speech and intellectual freedom. Whether they agree with it or not is no matter, they don't have to agree with every speaker they book. I certainly don't agree with everything that is published in this paper, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to publish it because that would go against everything democracy stands for. Limes, Jessica Berget Jessica Berget The Other Press has been Douglas College’s student newspaper since 1976. Since 1978 we have been an autonomous publication, independent of the student union. We are a registered society under the Society Act of British Columbia, governed by an eight-person board of directors appointed by our staff. Our head office is located in the New Westminster campus. The Other Press is published weekly during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly during the summer. We receive our funding from a student levy collected through tuition fees every semester at registration, and from local and national advertising revenue. The Other Press is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a syndicate of student newspapers that includes papers from all across Canada. The Other Press reserves the right to choose what we will publish, and we will not publish material that is hateful, obscene, or condones or promotes illegal activities. Submissions may be edited for clarity and brevity if necessary. All images used are copyright to their respective owners.