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Cambridge University's celebrated student newspaper Varsity was once so fearless that some of its stories resulted in the editor being challenged to a duel.
Now, however, it's become so worried about causing offence that it's publishing 'trigger warnings' at the top of stories that sensitive readers could find upsetting.
The paper reported last week on the spiking of student drinks on a night out – and readers were told at the top of the article: 'Content note: This article contains discussion of spiking and sexual harassment.'
In another article about people dressing as Zulus to attend a bonfire, readers were told: 'Content note: This article contains descriptions and discussions of racism and blackface.' A third recent story was about a PhD student who was the victim of an attack and alleged police discrimination. Readers were warned: 'Contains a description of an anti-Asian hate crime and police discrimination.'
The paper, whose print edition has a circulation of 10,000, reported on a row at a student fair where anti-abortionists clashed with pro-choice campaigners. It noted at the top of the article: 'Content warnings: Abortion, violence against women, protests.'
