Several reports have questioning whether it's OK for anyone to use the anti-gay slur that "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington used against co-star T.R. Knight. But ABC Reporter Laura Coverson wrote a much-needed article about whether it's OK for the media to use the word in coverage.

"The Other F-Word" jumps off from the discussion I started here last week. It's not OK to quote hate speech in the paper or on TV. It's offensive, same as it would have been if the n-word was repeated to cover Michael Richards' outburst.

What is needed are more articles like Coverson's. Discuss what is appropriate instead of ducking the subject. Related stories:

USA Today: Here's the dirt on using this 'F' word

AJC: Washington incident raises debate on power of slurs

Were straight people offended by the use of the term? Not sure, but we do know most folks were keenly interested. Ratings spiked for the celeb shows that covered the f-word dispute.