Horner Asks The Independent To Explain Printing of Bang Ad

President Horner met yesterday with Shelley Burtt, president of The Harvard Independent, to discuss why the newspaper printed a full-page advertisement for Bang magazine, a new pornographic publication.

Horner said she asked Burtt how closely the newspaper staff's decision to run the ad reflected the "editorial taste" of the Independent executive board, but declined to say how Burtt responded.

Burtt yesterday declined to comment on the meeting.

The Independent "owes an explanation on how they made the decision to the Harvard community," Horner said.

The violence, more than the sexual exploitation portrayed in the ad, disturbed her. Horner said, adding that the title Bang itself has violent connotations.

The ad pictures a man, naked from the waist up, holding a copy of the magazine, which displays on the cover a woman with a guitar between her legs.

You're Mistaken

Mary Holland '80-3, who organized a student anti-pornography group this year, said the group yesterday sent a letter to Archie C. Epps III, dean of students, objecting to the ad and asking Epps to hold a public debate between concerned students and The Independent staff.

Horner said that if students want it she will set up such a meeting and invite guest speakers knowledgable in the ethics of newspaper advertising policy.