Indeed,
it is. The pen here is synonymous to words penned down on documents or scripts. It refers to the scribe,
the journalist, the writer. The sword is simply its antonym. A sword is meant to be swung to maim. Strength or force is its prerequisite. Swords are borne by warriors, fighters, soldiers. Mightier denotes that, in terms of utilitarianism, the scribe hands the warrior's ass to him. 
Since
time immemorial, there have been many symbolic legends of war and valiant slayers
of evil. King Arthur and his fabled sword, Excalibur,
personify the majestic spirit of conquest and battle. Many a fairy tale undertakes
the same romantic setting of saving damsels in distress and battling mythical
creatures.
In
contrast to myths, reality is precarious. Heroes in war can become villains in
peacetime. Right and wrong are, therefore, interchangeable. If journalists
assert their stories and the public discounts them as the truth, what happens
if they are wrong? Adjudication and apologies are in order. That is why if we
choose the sword, a permanent outcome nearly guarantees belated regret.
It
was not force that gave Abraham Lincoln a country; it was his eloquence and knowledge that paved his legacy. His quotes are still some of the best references
today. An unparalleled samurai
