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Most professional and collegiate newspapers have policies dictating which advertisements they will accept and which they will reject. Most papers, for example, would quickly reject libelous, pornographic or obscene advertisements. Discussing advertisements denying that the Holocaust occurred, the manager of The New York Times Advertising Acceptability Department told the Forward: "It is our policy not to accept ads of this nature. Ads that seek to deny known facts such as the Holocaust or the Rape of Nanking. . . . Any ad like this would be unacceptable."

Student editors are advised to take the time to contemplate and discuss what types of advertisements they will not accept. They should consider all factors: In some states, for instance, there are laws against newspapers with primarily young audiences accepting ads for alcohol. Then, after careful review, editors should devise and record an advertising policy, which they can point to when turning down ads denying the Holocaust. For assistance or more information, editors can contact their local office of the Anti-Defamation League.

Every newspaper editor has a responsibility directly to his community. As a leader in the community, an editor must consider his readers, their feelings and their attitudes. There is little to gain from upsetting, shocking or horrifying them. Newspapers are also businesses. Offending readers only serves to undermine a paper's credibility, decrease its circulation, scare away advertisers and ultimately reduce its profits.

Most important, student editors should remember that while invoking the First Amendment can be exhilarating and rewarding, knowing when it does not apply can be equally exciting and important. In many situations, it is far more noble to make an editorial decision or reject an advertisement ­­ such as a Holocaust-denial one ­­ which saves a newspaper's audience from being insulted and demeaned, stops racism and promotes good journalism, all while still respecting the mandate of the First Amendment.