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Integrity
Posted Thursday, October 22, 2009, at 10:18 PM<< Previous | Read comments | Respond | Email link | Next >>
Merriam-Webster defines integrity as the following:
1 : firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values : incorruptibility An example would be for a journalist or newspaper explaining why certain comments made that merely mention a certain individual's name are routinely deleted. 2 : an unimpaired condition : soundness An example would be the bond that the local newspaper has with the subscribers and one way to ensure the soundness of this bond would be to explain why these posts are routinely deleted, not skirting the questions asked as if the paper were run by politicians. 3 : the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness An example of this would be to allow reasonable questions to be asked without censoring the people that read this publication regularly. My question, does a newspaper maintain its integrity even after their failure to answer even the most simple question such as, "Why were certain posts deleted?" I have noticed the silence and wondered whether or not the Editors have hoped that this topic simply goes away or people lose interest. If a newspaper is willing to censor inane posts in the "Comments" section, what would stop them from reporting ONLY the news that they want to report on as opposed to being unbiased? People are tired of biased reporting, from Fox, CNN, MSNBC, and all of the major networks, why should we put up with it from the local newspaper? At this point I'm more concerned with the comment deletions than with the actual issue that they were regarding. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
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Hey Thom, Profootballtalk.com posts on their website a banner that says "Days Without an Arrest" and keeps a tally on the number of days that the NFL goes without one of leagues members without being arrested.
Maybe, you could post a similar banner on your blog and give it the title: "Days Without An Answer" as a reminder that the T-G has fiduciary responsibility to seek, find, and publish the answers to our questions concerning why Mr. Craig was forced out by Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Stephenson, Mr. Landers, and Mrs. Pruitt.
Also, Mr. Stephenson has the answer, but apparently feels his constituents can not handle all the drama and this whole thing must "die down" first.
While we are at it, and I know the "Sunshine Law" does not have much regulatory teeth, but why have Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Stephenson, Mr. Landers, and Mrs. Pruitt not been at least publicly reprimanded for said violations.
Now, I don't know the professions of faith the others have made, but I do know that Mr. Landers is a professing christian, and as such, he needs to conduct himself "above reproach" and shine the light, if you will on all of this little back room political maneuvering that has taken place in order to force the resignation/firing of Mr. Craig. This was not a private matter, this is public business, and as such, we the public have a right to know why our elected officials conducted their business in secret when it should have been conducted in the light of day.
Don't take this as a defense of Mr. Craig's performance as city manager. I believe he has made some mistakes-everybody does. But, has he done enough to be fired? I don't know. Because, I don't know all the facts. The only thing I do know from the T-G's reporting is that it seems Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Stephenson have a personal grudge with him and used their positions of power to force him out. The only reasons that have been attributed to them thus far is that Mr. Craig was rude to some people and did not listen closely enough to others.
In closing, I want to say that I personally know Mr. Landers, and I find him to be a honest man, and do not question his integrity, but somehow he has gotten pulled into this sideshow, but he needs to step up and explain his part in this mess.
Thom, I fully understand your frustration, but do also see the other side of the issue. There are liabilities involved that I can only imagine. It would not surprise me if the T-G were not already looking down the business end of a suit, or fear one coming. There have been some on the comment section who just may pursue an agenda. Like it or not, there may also be allegiances, working relationships and conflicts that prohibit more speculation as well. We do live in a small town after all. I would prefer some censorship by the provider, rather than the removal of all comments, and more generally, the complete absence of a local newspaper.
Midnight Rider, I am not so sure the T-G has any binding responsibility to do anything of the sort, although it would be great if they did, assuming that they in fact posses the ability. If there is an unmet responsibility, I would look no further than the elected officials whom you question. The T-G was not responsible for the actions of the politicians, nor do they have innate knowledge of the politicians motivations. The rest is purely speculation.
"Midnight Rider, I am not so sure the T-G has any binding responsibility to do anything of the sort, although it would be great if they did, assuming that they in fact posses the ability."
-- Posted by memyselfi on Fri, Oct 23, 2009, at 5:32 AM
Maybe they are not legally bound, but it they want to be considered a credible news source, they should do more than give these councilmen what amounts to a "free pass" on their non answers as to why they did what they did.
Not to mention the fact nothing has been written that address the four members illegal actions in violating the "Sunshine Law" And, has this action led to the city being responsible to pay a man for his services that are no longer being utilized? If so, why? Or, better yet, why did the council just not wait and give proper notice that they would not renew his contract?
Censorship? Yes to unfounded rumor and insinuations! To the mere asking of questions? Never!
The newspaper should be in the business of asking questions. And, if they continue to get stonewalled, they have other ways to bring pressure. Larger newspapers use the Editorial and Op-pages to bring about awareness and to apply pressure necessary for garnering change, or getting answers.
However, a quick click on the "opinion" header leads you to nothing more than a "Letters to the Editor" section.
memyselfandi, what I am looking for here is the truth. Small town or not, when it comes to city officials getting fired, and the process starts with elected officials violating laws, and the only reasons stated thus far are based on personality characteristics, not performance evaluations, the citizens who elected those officials have right to know, and it is the duty and of the press to seek these answers.
However, don't take my word on it, because I am just, as outonthefarm likes to put it, someone throwing rocks from the bushes. Consider the words of the T-G's peers, and even the words of their very own editor. Here they are for your perusal:
Newspapers indispensable for informed self-government
By Gene A. Budig
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
"The American newspaper has been a consistent ally of democracy in the United States for generations, often battling oppression. It has made a documented difference by exposing wrongs in and threats to local, state and federal government, by serving as a courageous watchdog over growing crime and corruption in the country, and by being alert to the sometimes precarious international front.
On the editorial page, the newspaper has questioned the need for wars and the resulting loss of life, and it has been attentive to the readers' need to know more, much more, about the daily news, business, entertainment and sports and how they impact them and their families. It was an early champion of civil rights. It has devoted countless pages to health care, an emotionally charged matter that requires substantive understanding and constructive change."
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/...
And Now a word from Mr. Flanagan himself, Pay particular attention to the last line:
Words as weapons; truth vs. fiction
Posted Tuesday, September 15, 2009, at 11:15 AM
"Finding the truth in any situation can be difficult.
Unfortunately, too many professional journalists do not challenge public figures, including politicians on statements they make on the topic du jour, whether it be financial bailouts or the cost of health care.
Sometimes, our failure to challenge public officials happens because we haven't done our homework. Sometimes, we're too deferential. Sometimes, we can't see the tree of truth through the forest of ideology Any way it happens, the public loses.
It is the duty of journalists to perform due diligence in seeking the truth in a world where skeptics and cynics cry out, "Whose truth?" "
http://www.t-g.com/blogs/flanagan/entry/...
Midnight Rider, I do not fundamentally disagree with anything you wrote. I actually completely agree with most of it. I offended the staff of the T-G this week already. My only point was that the responsibility of the actions taken in the name of the public lie most directly with those who performed the actions in the name of the public. We are not talking about people who live in the White House or Governor's Mansion. Give them a call, or better yet, knock on their door tonight about 6:00 if the situation concerns you that much. They are not shy about knocking on doors at election time. Turn-about is fair play.
It just seems to me to be quite a responsibility you wish to assign the T-G, when the players involved apparently believe that they owe no explanation, even to their constituents. I do not doubt that a more adversarial approach could bring about results, but what about future implications? For that matter, when such approaches are relied upon, who draws the line between looking for truth, and aggressive agenda pushing that could ultimately look a lot like a witch-hunt from the outside?
I am not suggesting that a "free pass" for local politicians should be the objective, but at the same time, I am not so sure that is what we are witnessing. I have not seen many editorials at all, so I am guessing that is just the nature of the editorial staff. On the other hand, the letters do get attention and appear to be printed in a fair and consistent fashion. I am guessing that a letter to the editor in your hand would certainly be published. Why not submit one?
Oh, if only I had my own TG blog. This week's topic would be "Dead Horses: To beat or Not to beat?".
Nobody's Fool - You think it's beating a dead horse to bring the topic back up of this newspaper routinely deleting posts simply because they mention an individual's name? If so, then your name is certainly not appropriate.
People like you are the reason that all of the major media outlets are as biased as they are. There is no accountability for their actions. I would like for the Times-Gazette to answer for the deletions. I've e-mailed the publisher and Kent didn't bother to respond to my e-mail to him, he responded to the e-mail that I sent to his boss. Not to mention that in his response, he didn't even bother to answer my question. I suppose him saying that he doesn't dance, doesn't obfuscate, is good enough for people like you but I would like to get some answers.
This paper obviously isn't interested in the news since they're willing to let it lie with the forced resignation of Ed Craig. A councilman said that he doesn't think the people are ready to hear the reason at this time? And the Times-Gazette is ok with that? That's ludicrous.
"People like you are the reason that all of the major media outlets are as biased as they are. There is no accountability for their actions."
i have to disagree with you here, thom. the media is as biased as it is because that is what people want. people want a black and white world, where "we" are right and good, and "they" are wrong and evil. people are willing to overlook transparently obvious error & illogic, as long as it fits with what they want to believe. i saw a statistic (i know, i know, i am as suspicious of "statistics" as the next person, but this source was not aligned with either party) that something around 35% of the people really believe that obama was not born in the US. similarly, 35% of the people believe bush orchestrated 9-11. sure, it is easy to assign these beliefs to "nuts, fruitcakes, and crackpots", but we are talking about a population where 70% of the people believe things that are, well, no offense meant, but things that are ridiculous.
based on what i hear and see, these are not unbelievable numbers. if anything, it might be worse in tennessee. so, i do not believe that apathy is the source of our biased media. the source is passionate (if not discriminating) belief.
Thom,
You are on the right path.
I observed what you are referring to. It simply is not right for the paper to choose who to protect and who they want thrown under the bus.
Somebody was instantly deleting certain comments that did not violate the TOS.
Have you considered the possibility that "people like me" may think if you are serious about wanting to get to the bottom of this issue, that you should consider making an appointment with the people involved and talking to them in person? Call me old fashioned, but I believe that emails, text messages, blogs, etc are not acceptable methods of communication between two adults about something you honestly consider to be serious.
You know nothing about me, my politics or my opinions about the media. I'm just stating my opinion about the fact that is being "discussed" to death through this public forum. It appears to me (and possibly people LIKE me) that you're acting slightly juvenile by posting your comments publicly, over and over and over, when you could just as easily go get some answers in person and be done with it.
If you have questions about the firing of Craig (as most of us do), then go to your city officials and demand answers from THEM. The TG can't force the city to give them answers and they can't print speculation.
Just because something is important to you, doesn't mean that I necessarily want to read about it on every single comment thread. Sorry if I've offended you, but I have every right to my opinion.
You are correct, you do have every right to your opinion, as do I. Getting on here and complaining just because someone is talking about a particular situation is no different than the people that say they don't want this or that to be shown on TV because they don't think it's appropriate. Just as they have the ability to change the channel, you have the ability to stop reading something once it gets to the point where you no longer care about it.
My issue at this point isn't the attempted firing of Ed Craig, my issue is the Times-Gazette deleting posts that mention that situation for no apparent reason. That, to me, seems like someone at the T-G is doing a favor for a friend of theirs since they won't explain their reasoning for doing this. If there were a valid reason then I would think someone at the T-G would tell people what that reason is, rather than just dancing around questions asked.
Stay with it Thom. You are on the right track.
Thom is right . . . nobody is forcing you to read this blog or the comments listed here Nobody'sFool. If you don't want to read it then doesn't choose to come back to this post. It is pretty simple and not very complicated. Also, this is a blog and the definition of a blog is "a frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and web links."
Even a "fool" should understand that basic concept.
Thom,
I have hesitated for a week about commenting on your blog as one who has been there and done that.
And, I still come back to They Say and I Heard have never been news sources.
I recall I was heavily criticized and accused, because of politics, of protecting a man everyone just knew had committed a really bad murder. When the arrest was made those same people were saying such things as who is he and I've never heard of him. What do you suppose would have happened If I had bowed to that pressure and accused an innocent person of murder in the newspaper?
There was the huge burglary committed in the wee hours of the morning and arrests were quickly made. The next morning one man asked me why I hadn't run in the T-G what had really happened. I asked him what was wrong with the story. He replied, that's not the way I heard it at the drug store this morning. I did inform him I hadn't seen a single one of his drug store coffee-drinking cronies out there at the scene.
On one of the worst days of my life (my mother had brian surgery that morning. they couldn't get it all and gave her 30 days to live) I arrived back in Shelbyville, picked up a T-G and noticed a county commissioner had really gone off on me in a meeting because I didn't tell who had broen into a drug locker at Bedford County General Hospital. No charges were ever filed and no arrests were made in the incident.
We have a mayor and council members who know exactly what took place at that so-called study session. They owe the answer to your question and others as to what took place at that session.
Would you be willing to bet your reputation and wellbeing this group will give us the true answer or change it to suit their own political livlihood.
Again, I've always admired your blogs. I respect your opinions and the rights of others to have and express their opinion.
Finally, a newsman who guesses without having some official go on record to tell him, stands an excellent chance of finding himself up a famous creek without a means of locomotion and facing a huge lawsuit being filed against himself and the newspaper he represents.
Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet, take the criticism and hope the truth eventually will be revealed.
Thom is right and his last statement was, At this point I'm more concerned with the comment deletions than with the actual issue that they were regarding.
I know there have been comments deleted and users ban over the last couple of years. I also know there have been many he said, she said comments that were not deleted about Joe Blow in the blotter as well as other articles and blogs. Why, when it concerns one of our officials is being liable suddenly so important?
No one seemed very concerned over comments posted about a certain race car driver!
The paper allowed that man to be butchered Disgusted, without any sympathy. Did you notice it also?
One of the Bloggers was also allowed to post a blog about a certain individual that does use his real name and most of us know him. He should have been ban from blogging but that didnt happen!
It could be that past mistakes have been learned from, and that the changes we see today are the result of that process.
bomelson, Thank you for your surprisingly candid comment. I appreciate the opportunity to gain some honest insight from someone who has been on the inside for so long.
Bo-- I really miss that {era} newspaper. While I did not always agree with everything written I knew both sides of an issue would be covered not just what the editor was interested in or what would play well at church the next sunday. News is news rumor is not or at least that is the way it looks from out on the farm
jaxspike- Some people may be impressed or even intimidated by your incessant condescension. I happen to be neither of the two. As far as the old "if you don't like it, don't read it" retort, this is not exactly the same thing as watching TV. When I tune into a show or a movie, I generally know what it's about or what the general tone of the show will be. When reading a newspaper or a blog, where the topics range from everything to local politics to lost puppies, you don't know what the content will be, UNLESS you read it. Besides, if I were to follow your logic, I suppose I could say the very same thing to you about my comments.
I'm well aware what the word "blog" means. But since we're handing out unsolicited definitions, here's one for you...
Redundant: exceeding what is necessary or normal. characterized by or containing an excess; specifically : using more words than necessary
Example- "It is pretty simple and not very complicated"
Thom- My points were (and still are) exactly as I stated before:
1) I don't see the need to say the same thing repeatedly on several different threads and blogs.
2) Contact the editor personally.
I don't understand why you seem to find that so offensive. Have you, in fact, attempted to contact Mr. Flanagan in person or on the phone? I'm being completely serious. So much can be lost or misconstrued in a written correspondence, because many people just can't read the (or misunderstand) the tone of the message.
Nobody'sFool - I have not attempted to contact Mr. Flanagan in person or via phone since he failed to respond to my e-mail. He did, however, respond to the e-mail that I cc'd him on when I e-mailed the publisher of this paper, Jon Rust. He posted that response in one of the comments and failed to answer my questions regarding deleting the posts. I'm not offended at all by your opinions, I just have a firm stance when it comes to holding this paper accountable for the actions of its personnel. Someone at the Times-Gazette deleted these comments for no apparent reason. I would like for that reason to be stated by the Editor since he is ultimately responsible for this paper. This blog isn't about Mr. Craig and/or Mr. Green. This blog is about the integrity of this paper being questionable when this type of incident happens routinely and nobody can say why.
Bo - Thank you for your kind words, I know that my opinions can occasionally rub some people the wrong way. I agree with you regarding the need to have something substantial on the record before printing something but this isn't about that. If what I have heard is true (and I have no reason to doubt my source) and I were a reporter, I would have to have this written in stone before I would print it. My main issue at this point is the deletion of comments that simply mentioned a certain individual's name. There was no violation of the ToS, nor was there anything derogatory in the post about this individual. It was simply a post asking why they resigned.
I think Thom's point is that it happened in the blogs and that's where the TG response should be made.
NobodysFool . . . thanks for the laugh. I am sorry if I was "redundant" but I figured I needed to stress my point even more due to your inability to understand the thread of the post and discern the meaning of what Thom was saying or the manner in which it was posed in this forum. I figure by now that you should have a general grasp of the subject being discussed and evidently you feel it is redundant but yet you continue to post and continue in the discussion. I guess one could say your behavior is one of redundancy if you really want to explore that avenue of thought. Hypocrisy is a double edge sword that you seem content to bludgeon yourself with on a continual basis and especially in this dialogue.
Also, my comment was a suggestion to you since you were whining about the discussion at hand and I could care less if you comment or not because you have the right to do so. I was just offering simple advice to help ease your troubled mind. :-)
It would be my guess that the TG is not that fundamentally different from other newspapers of today, in that those with the deepest pockets very often influence the words used or omitted within it.
Or maybe at this point all they have to go on is a collection of rumors from second hand sources and witnesses that refuse to go on the record. That is why they aren't responding anymore, they have already told you the answer to your question. I will say that it is strange that no one seems to know who deleted your comments. That has not been an ordinary occurence in the past.
I think Thom's main concern is why the comments were deleted almost instantly.
Luckily I saw what Thom is referring to. It is no doubt somebody in charge was sitting there waiting to defend someone for some reason.
I could even mention the names but know they will delete my comment as soon as I do, so I will not.
Thom I hope you stay on this. Perhaps as this blog moves toward the bottom of the weekly list you can copy and paste it again next week under...."Integrity Part 2" to keep it alive.
I think Thom's main concern is why the comments were deleted almost instantly.
Luckily I saw what Thom is referring to. It is no doubt somebody in charge was sitting there waiting to defend someone for some reason.
I could even mention the names but know they will delete my comment as soon as I do, so I will not.
Thom I hope you stay on this. Perhaps as this blog moves toward the bottom of the weekly list you can copy and paste it again next week under...."Integrity Part 2" to keep it alive.
-- Posted by somecommonsense on Wed, Oct 28, 2009, at 7:19 AM
Somecommonsense... I really have to believe you are right. There is no doubt that at least one individual at the paper seems to maintain a higher moral opinion of them self than anyone
else.I have seen this in coverage as well. It looks like the individual needs to practice not only what he preaches but professionalism as well. I know thats what we do out on the farm
Sounds to me like you have a good supply of rocks to throw from out on the farm.
Looks to me like you caught the biggest one between the eyes nathan.