Sins of Omission
Paying off the local media: What's the going rate? |
| Mark Haranas Assistant Managing Editor To make a long conversation short, some people think newspapers are corrupt and biased. It’s not a common call The Gardner News receives, but we sometimes get it when a hot topic or issue comes up, like recently in Winchendon — the phone definitely rang a few times. “You’re only writing what he (or she) wants you to write!” or “You’re in their back pocket!” So many times our reporters and editors over the years have had to listen to insulting rants and obnoxiously rude comments from people about how our reporting is biased, or how we’re lying or getting paid under the table. I can humbly say that this newspaper has never taken (or even been offered) any bribes of any sort. Neither have we swayed any article in favor of someone or some issue because a local or government official, police officer, or even local resident secretly asked us too. I don’t even know what someone would offer us. Money? Fame? A hot lunch? From my point of view, it’s completely ludicrous to believe that reporters or editors sway their writing to please someone. It’s just not how this business, or any professional news outlet works. I don’t know where these accusations really start either. When did it get into people’s heads that journalists are corrupt? Especially at a community paper, such as The Gardner News? We’ve been a daily newspaper here since 1897 — if anything was wrong, it probably would have come up by now. Can anyone name the last time they read about someone suing a newspaper and winning? Or can anyone even recall the last time a newspaper was caught having corrupt reporting? The answer is “no.” (Go ahead and Google it.) And a “no” is a HUGE answer when a newspaper publishes hundreds and thousands of stories each year. This is because reporters don’t get into this profession to try to sway the public or get free handouts. It’s to learn, cover and report on things without having any opinions in what they’re writing a story about. The Gardner News prints thousands of local stories each year. Thousands of local stories dealing with local people, schools, businesses, lawmakers, children, police, etc. — and we’ve never been in trouble for lying. The answer to why we haven’t been in trouble is extremely simple, there’s just no reason, cause or point to lie. We have no personal stake in an issue. We are here to report. On rare occasions we do get something wrong in the story, but it’s typically (extremely) minor, like a title mistake for a person or an incorrect date or misspelling. When this happens, we write a correction in our paper stating to the world that we made an error. We don’t get sued or retract entire articles because, basically, we’re not lying about subjects and issues. There’s just no reason to and the repercussions would be gigantic. What’s always missing in these calls saying that we’re “lying/biased/corrupt” is one key fact — evidence. In a typical complaint, the person usually says something on how the story should have been written or how we missed something somewhere. It’s never specific, for example, “This figure you have is completely wrong” or “He didn’t say that.” The complaints we receive against a story are always broad on the subject or issue. The complainer typically tells us that we should look into this or that, or we should have focused more on a certain matter in the issue. Now we don’t mind at all taking the feedback. I don’t expect, or want, people to stop calling us with concerns or even questions. We expect to get scrutinized and critiqued. I don’t mind talking to people who complain either, some are beneficial and can even lead us to some great information. In conclusion, it’s something I’ve had to tell people over and over again who think that we’re a secretly corrupt organization that has been swaying votes and thoughts for the last 120 years … We have no dog in this fight. |
I almost fell out of the chair, I was laughing so hard...Give me a break !! Just why did Pauly's Templeton Watch become the most important place for information, when Pauly gave the public a place to find the truth about the wrong doings in Templeton ?? Why did our local paper refuse to print articles written by Templeton residents ?? I had wondered to myself how any credible newspaper person could live with themselves after some of the one sided articles were printed by the local paper. The sad thing is, people do believe what they read, and it may be the policy of the ownership that calls the shots but no matter what, I would rather stand on a street corner with a tin cup than stretch, or ignore the truth. Of course this is my opinion. Bev.
ReplyDeletePut me in the category with "some people think newspapers are corrupt and bias" and if I may add in the pocket of big corporations. Newspapers
ReplyDeleteIn the case of letters to the editor i would have to say they have put in every one i sent them. The only problem i had was the when they decided to put them in. As with many things timing is everything. I am of the opinion that others were given a more time oriented print as events unfolded.Previous reporters for some newspapers were better and fair as can be but now one has to think about all angles and judge for themselves whats fair. A side may be taken if the schedule to print has bearing on the outcome of the timing. Those with the power of schedules have the ability to sway things without any fallback to them. Bev knows what i mean and has see it with her own eyes.
ReplyDeleteMy policy is to never use the Gardner News. I will not advertise with their newspaper for any reason. EVER.
ReplyDeleteI have had letters to the editor denied and/or altered to the point the original message was lost.
Case in point -
This weekend there were many local events. On Saturday alone, there was Brian's Gift road race, Oktoberfest, The Car and Engine Show.
On Sunday there was a very important event in Templeton that received NO coverage. Our Veterans Service Agent, John Caplis organized the Purple Heart ceremony on Templeton Center Common. I would like to take the time to thank him for organizing this event and facilitating the process of adding Templeton as a Purple Heart Community.
The Gardner News policy is "we cannot take any paid ads from YOU, Jeff Bennett, without the approval of Ms. Bell, owner of the Gardner News. Again, it was not "we cannot accept any paid ads without Ms. Bell approval" it was "we cannot accept any paid ads from you without Ms. Bell approval"
ReplyDelete