The recent removal of an ad in Chapel Hill Transit buses, which calls for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, thrust questions about freedom of speech into the limelight.
The town said it removed the ad for failing to list a contact for Chapel Hill’s Church of Reconciliation, which purchased the ads.
Supporters of the ad’s removal argue that politically charged messages should not be displayed in buses, especially since taxpayers fund transportation. They hold that advertising in buses should be limited to ads for commercial purposes and not for potentially divisive political reasons.
Critics of the ad’s removal say it violates the right to freedom of speech in public spaces such as buses.
The town could consider limiting advertising on buses to commercial advertising. This is a dangerous proposal, which should be avoided at all costs.
Buses are a public space and, as such, are constitutionally protected to display a variety of messages.
Buses are a forum for information relevant to the public, hosting educational information regarding issues like sexual harassment and housing discrimination. Limiting ads to those for commercial purposes would similarly call for the removal of these types of ads, which is an overreaction.
We cannot expect to agree with every sign or every advertisement. For those who disagree with the ad, dubbed the Salaam-Shalom ad, the opportunity exists to sponsor their own advertisement for display in the buses.
When the Chapel Hill Town Council meets on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m., we hope council members will protect freedom of speech and not overreact to complaints they have received by limiting advertising on buses to commercial advertising.
