Bill Wayne Weblog

Thursday July 20, 2006

Up to date

A couple of recent letters in the Warensburg Daily Star Journal accuse the paper of shoddy journalism. In essence, it appears that the DSJ printed a press release from the Prosecutor‘s office as a news story and, not only wouldn‘t check with the defense attorney, but wouldn‘t print anything showing a second side to the story.

This isn‘t the first time the DSJ has presented some questionable material as news. Back in 1997, during the run-up to the zoning election, the DSJ printed a series of “factual answers“ about the zoning plan, written by the chairman of the zoning board. The opposition had to buy ads to refute these “factual answers.“ If you‘re interested, I still have the info at www.Olddrum.net. A few months ago, an article criticizing President Bush was printed without identifying it as opinion or identifying the author as a local Democratic Party activist and “strategist.“ These are a couple off the top of my head.

Now, I don‘t know any more about whatever details of this case may be under dispute. I do know that the evidence gathered was thrown out, and with it the drug case against him. It would have been nice to know the details. This wasn‘t a young kid being stopped; he was the husband (now ex)of a prominent local businesswoman. The Republican prosecutor behind this, as well as other abuses, is running for a judgeship; her primary opponent is a libertarian who may actually have a chance to win as an R.

I‘ve never claimed to be a journalist and was always more comfortable doing “commentary“ than news in the infrequent items I wrote for the late and lamented “Warrensburg Free Press.“ Nevertheless, when doing news or candidate interviews I tried to keep my personal opinion out of the article (and yes, it‘s hard sometimes). I believe that the press has the duty to present unslanted news (vs. opinion or “analysis”, and that it has even a stronger duty to balance what it may inadvertently slant. I sdoubt that they recognize this duty and further doubt that we LP candidates will get a fair shake on coverage from them.

BW