The Boston Globe is running an editorial today asking Craigslist to stop running its “adult services” ads. This strikes me as a terrible conflict of interest and a bad decision by a paper whose business model is being decimated by Craigslist. Say what you want about the ads, but for a paper to write this kind of editorial smacks of vengence. The Globe isn’t asking any of the many sites that have similar ads to stop their practice. Writes blogger Dave Copeland:
“I’m never comfortable when an organization that depends on the First Amendment’s rights of free speech challenges, attacks, or even questions the free speech rights of another.”
And Adam Gaffin of the excellent local website UniversalHub adds in the comments:
“Why just Craiglist? Shouldn’t the Globe be wagging its nanny finger at the (local alt-weekly) Phoenix, as well?”
We don’t support prostitution. But Craigslist is behaving legally. Whether it should or shouldn’t have these ads is besides the point. A paper has no business telling others how to exercise their First Amendment rights.