I write this assuming that my good friend Mr. Hassan Shibly, an SA representative and distinguished member of the student body, is the subject of the Spectrum editorial 'Life in a Fishbowl' (Jan. 25) as well as its accompanying cartoon, a particularly ethnocentric and censorial piece, even for the increasingly conservative Spectrum.
The Spectrum staff is neither elected nor held to account by the student body; yet they are allowed to speak on its behalf and blast Mr. Shibly for his personal convictions, which they report are not the opinions of the student body (with no legitimate evidence of the case)?
With that in mind, I propose that The Spectrum must be held to account by the student body through general elections of its editorial staff. Then they may make any claim of credibility for being the voice of the students.
If The Spectrum does not desire such elections, than it owes Mr. Shibly an immediate apology, as its portrayal of him was 'not only ignorant, but hurtful.'
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
