Letter to Another Editor

Who runs editorials as news articles

Dear Editor,

I fear someone may have forgotten to clearly mark last week’s front-page article, “Reporter appalled at lack of decorum demonstrated at BOE meeting” as an opinion piece. I realize, your recently developed practice of including editorials on the front page is becoming a more widespread practice for newspapers. However, I was still surprised to see a reporter’s emotional response to a situation presented as front-page news – especially when said article was also written by said reporter.

Tastelessness and sensationalism aside, I find it ironic that the reporter who told readers just a few weeks back that she is “not a deep thinker” suddenly has opinions so newsworthy. Surely it was a mistake, as a reporter’s opinion has never been, and will never be, worthy of front-page “news” status. Clearly, your reporter has no problems meeting the journalistic principles of public accountability with select leaders in her coverage sphere. However, perhaps before including her opinion on the front page, we should make sure she also understands the journalistic principles of accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, and fairness.

For example, she implies that it is inappropriate for a board member to ask questions during a presentation to the board. Is it? I would imagine any presentation made for the board at a board meeting would automatically be prepared to address questions from the board members. If I read the piece clearly, the article notes a board member interrupted to ask questions, but then did not ask questions. Though the coverage of the conversation was brief and confusing, such comments might make sense to folks more prone to deep thinking. Perhaps the board member was making a point? A point that certain decisions are up to board members, not the principal? Perhaps we need to listen to the words not said.

But the reporter has already informed us the words said don’t matter: “It was the way she said them.” The reporter interpreted a “tone,” spied a “sneer,” and detected a “superior attitude.” How odd the reporter doesn’t detect tones, sneers, and superior attitudes at the public meetings I witness. Perhaps such behavior is only unacceptable when presented by a woman? The reporter then clearly states the board member “should be ashamed of herself.”

The only superior attitude I am picking up here is the one expressed by the reporter. In fact, I don’t see anywhere in the newspaper where said reporter actually ASKS the new board member her reasons for wanting to serve. No, the article only tells us what the reporter feels about it. This is balanced and fair reporting? I think not. I feel the reporter might have an agenda of her own.

During an election, the opinion piece presented as news on the front page feels like negative campaigning on the part of the reporter and the newspaper entire. Do we not want a board member who asks questions? A board member invested in the system and improving it for the children enrolled (including her own)? A board member who challenges the status quo?

(There’s also irony in a reporter, with her unmarked opinion piece as news on the front page, spouting off about decorum. Surely this is obvious to more than just this one lowly reader.)

Gilmer County needs leaders who will ask questions, get involved, and innovate. We need leaders who don’t accept “the way it has always been done.” Leaders who use their energy to overcome the current status quo and implement lasting change. We also need a reporter willing to interview people she wants to shame, willing to challenge the inherent procedures and superior attitudes that inhibit civic discourse. And we need a community newspaper that doesn’t permit sensationalism, opinion, and politicizing on the front page -- giving such tripe the authority of a “news” presentation.

If we are feeling free to shame people so publicly and clearly, I have to say, “Shame on you” with a superior attitude of my own. Shame on the reporter, and shame on you for placing petty political pandering in such a position of respect. Shame on you for dropping your standards so low, especially when our county truly needs to set the bar higher. 

L.H.M.