Student newspapers destroyed over ad

Over 400 newspapers were destroyed and placed in front of the office of Drake University's student newspaper, employees said.

Austin Cannon, the managing editor of the Times-Delphic, found a thrown pile of drenched newspapers at about 4 p.m. Thursday.

On the top of the pile was an advertisement for Agape Pregnancy circled in black marker.

Courtney Fishman, editor-in-chief of the Times-Delphic, said about $200 of newspapers was ruined.

"It's really upsetting, because my staff and I work really hard to produce this paper, and it's really just for the students," Fishman said.

Fishman received a letter to the editor about the pregnancy center advertisement last weekend that said Agape and other crisis pregnancy centers mislead and harm vulnerable women by failing to present complete and accurate information about abortion and reproductive health.

Critiques of the advertisement continued from students over social media throughout the week.

Nobody answered the phone at Agape after business hours Friday to respond to the allegations about its work. An "Abortion" section on its website says, "If you are considering abortion, there is critical information you need to know. ... There is a lot to educate yourself on, and we are here to help."

Traditionally, a media organization's acceptance of a paid advertisement does not equate with an endorsement of the advertiser, and Fisher said that's true for the Times-Delphic as well.

David Maxwell, president of Drake, sent a campus wide email about the vandalism Friday.

"This act goes beyond mere vandalism -- it is an attempt to curtail First Amendment rights regarding free speech, and is thus antithetical to our core values as the Drake University community," Maxwell said. "Those who have concerns about the agency that paid for the advertisement have every right to express those concerns and to catalyze debate." He cited the letter to the editor as a good example of proper expression.

The paper will "absolutely" continue to publish ads from Agape, despite critiques, Fishman said.

The university's public safety department is investigating.