Front page after front page, a number of ISU students are getting upset with the Daily’s continual coverage of recent advancements of homosexual rights. Some students may not agree with the prospect of gay marriage or the increased “visibility” of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students on campus; but even if that’s the majority opinion, it most assuredly does not follow that this coverage should be curtailed.

The independent newspaper is one of the last remaining vestiges of the American free press – a heritage the Iowa State Daily is still proudly a part of. That a free press is essential to a free republican form of government is a basic concept embodied in the First Amendment of the Constitution. The free press’ position at the helm of a short but inconclusive list of guarantees emphasizes its importance in providing a necessary safeguard against the abuse of power.

Implicit in its responsibility as a watchdog of governmental abuses of individual rights, it must also serve as an advocate of individual rights against the tyranny of a majority.

This role is devoid of a conservative or liberal bias; it is certainly not an excuse for partisan hackery such as the over-coverage of certain political candidates.

As an advocate, the press must maintain a level of objectivity. Contrary to popular consensus, objectivity has nothing to do with presenting both sides of an issue; two opposing views are rarely equal in substance. Instead, it is the task of journalists to weigh the legitimacy of each argument. In making this judgment value, its role – protector of individual liberty – requires it to give a reasonable benefit of the doubt to the minority, as the majority already has control of government.<</p>

With this in mind, the question a newspaper must ask is: What right has been or could potentially be violated?

Obviously, the issue of homosexual marriage is at the forefront of American political debate. The controlling majority maintains an argument of tradition and “family” values – no such right to gay marriage has been recognized in the United States, save for the last several years (the result of activist judges, they say). The other side believes the right to equal protection under the law has not been afforded to LGBT persons. The merits of each position are a different debate for another day; it matters only that a class of citizens reasonably contends a violation of liberty.

The empowerment of the minority is inherent in a republic – unlike unfettered democracy, where the will of the majority carries the only weight. In the U.S., a majority is only kept in check by the Constitution – guarded only by the judicial branch, the press and a vocal minority. That minority must rely on the press to be heard in the court of public opinion; without this level of support, the Court risks its authority, derived from the respect it commands for the integrity of its decisions. Whether it be racial and sexual harassment by powers that be; ISU students, faculty and law enforcement officers denied their right to self defense; or a group of individuals barred from legal and public recognition of their commitment to a significant other, the press has a duty as their advocate.

In this case, the Daily is in a unique position. Two ISU students successfully broke the legal barrier to what they feel is their right to equal treatment – others were not so lucky.

Because of its duty of advocacy, the Daily has correctly given more coverage to those who allege a violation of their rights. Editorial control over the content of this newspaper is what makes it free – bound only by the republican value of ensuring the rights of repressed minorities and the integrity of its journalists. Even so, the majority has always had its opportunity to assert its own position in this very section – the opinion page – of the Daily.

No matter how you feel about gay marriage, the legitimacy of the Daily rests upon its duty as an advocate for those with threatened individual rights. If it were to merely echo the status quo, the Daily and its staff would do better not to publish a newspaper at all.

– Aaron Gott is a senior in political science from South Amana.