Herald Story On Sex Ads In The Boston Phoenix Drums Up Debate Around The Alt-Weekly's Legacy

A recent column in the Boston Herald has reignited a controversy over the business model of the Boston Phoenix.

While the paper had a reputation for great journalism, it was also known for its notorious back page ads, offering "ultimate massage" or "oriental style body rub" and escort services.

The ads came with provocative pictures and descriptions like "nice young girl from Hong Kong."

The Phoenix's archive is now held by Northeastern University and the Herald is raising the question: How should the university and the community think about the Phoenix's legacy? And how much of that legacy is the paper's back page?

John Carroll, WBUR senior news analyst and blogger at It's Good to Live in a Two-Daily Town. He tweets @john_r_carroll.