Editor's note: This story has been updated since its original publication. Natalie Moya, editor-in-chief of the Ball Bearings magazine, said the printing company may have objected to her publication's story because of graphic language that it contained.
On Dec. 7, the story was updated again with confirmation from journalism professor David Sumner that the story was rejected due to language as well as a letter to the editor from Tyler Kitt, president and CEO of EP Graphics.
A Ball State student magazine has made other plans to print its latest edition after its printer declined to produce its latest edition because of the magazine's content.
The latest issue of Ball Bearings magazine, which is a media partner of the Daily News, includes a cover story on gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer bullying, said editor-in-chief Natalie Moya.
Journalism professor David Sumner said the printing company, EP Graphics, declined to print the issue due to its objection to a copy of a suicide note that contained numerous swear words being included in the story.
According to Tyler Kitt, president and CEO of EP Graphics, in a letter to the editor, the company reserves the right to refuse to print any publication that "in [the] printer's sole opinion is obscene, lewd, or sexually explicit in any respect" in its terms and conditions.
EP Graphics provides its terms and conditions to the Department of Journalism along with invoices. Sumner said he and his staff had not specifically seen that provision before.
Moya said she was told the magazine could either change the lead story that featured GLBTQ bullying or the company wouldn't print it.
"Printer refused to print our second issue. I didn't know a story about GLBT bullying was "objectionable" content..." she said in a tweet Wednesday.
Moya's Twitter feed is open to the public, and the tweet was still posted as of Sunday night.
In an e-mail Thursday, Moya said the company was vague in explaining why it would not print the story.
"The story did contain a suicide note from a young man that used strong, possibly offensive language," she said. "We didn't see the need to censor this language due to its relevance to the topic. We were not explicitly told by the company whether it was this strong language or the actual theme of the story with which they did not agree."
Until now, Ball Bearings was able to print with the smaller company because its prices were better.
Using BSU Printing means a bigger dip into the magazine's funding.
"At this point, we don't have an option," Moya said. "It is the company's prerogative."
Moya said the second edition of Ball Bearings will be printed either late this week or sometime during the first half of finals week.
Kitt did not respond to calls seeking comment, but he did send a statement to the Daily News.
A letter to the editor from Tyler Kitt, president and CEO of EP Graphics:
First off, let me start by making it clear that EP Graphics makes no apologies for the values it practices, which are in vehement opposition to bullying of gays, or anyone in any context. The portrayal of anything to the contrary is highly offensive and, in my view, irresponsible.
As president and CEO of EP Graphics, a company I am proud to work for because of its values, I feel compelled to come to its defense in light of recent remarks made when we declined to print an edition of Ball Bearings magazine.
EP Graphics was the printer of record, not the publisher of Ball Bearings magazine. The printer has no power or position to censor the publication, as has been implied.
We have no desire to dictate what our customers write or advertise in their publications. We believe in free speech and the right of our clients to communicate their messages. With that in mind, we exercise our rights in staying away from objectionable materials. We can't be the printer of choice in some cases. This was discussed from the outset in our negotiation with representatives of Ball Bearings magazine, who accepted this condition.
Our terms and conditions provided to all of our customers state very clearly that we "may refuse to print any publication which in printer's sole opinion is obscene, lewd, or sexually explicit in any respect."
The grossly obscene language of the suicide note included in the graphics accompanying the article clearly crossed the line.
Over the past 20 years, EP Graphics has been proud to partner with Ball State University and its School of Journalism and graphic arts program, and has benefitted greatly by employing many of its graduates. It is very unfortunate how this series of events took on a life of its own through the electronic and social media avenues available today, undermining our strong relationship.
The ramifications of people's actions, whether intentional or not, using these avenues are real. They can have a profound and negative impact on members of our staff, our customers, friends and longstanding relationships like those with Ball State faculty, students and potential employees. It could easily have been avoided, and I find this entire mess to have been unnecessarily hurtful.
Tyler Kitt
President and CEO
EP Graphics
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