To: Jay R. Smith, President
Dear Mr. Smith,
In a stunning admission, the editors at The Dayton Daily News have admitted an agenda to exploit and misrepresent gun-related issues.
Recommending that "horrifically violent events" be exploited as "opportunities to be used," the paper essentially advocates dancing in blood as a way to shape public opinion.
"Proposed reforms can't be called 'gun control'," the editorial continues, "even though that plainly is what they are. Better to spin them as 'law enforcement.'"
They are telling their readers--your readers--they will not just present straight facts. They will dupe them, if they have to, in order to promote what they see as a greater good.
This is not only a gross violation of accepted journalistic ethical standards, it is a betrayal of your subscribers, an insult really. Why not just tell them you consider them too stupid to just present facts to? Why not just explain you don't want them to form their own conclusions?
Once trust has been demonstrated unmerited like this, what are the safeguards to assure readers it's not just on the opinion pages, but in news accounts as well, where they can't be certain they're not being manipulated? When an editor publicly endorses being a propagandist, why is there a reason to believe anything he prints is unbiased and reliable? And when the journalists in the organization see this tone set by their leadership, what pressure compromises the integrity of their work in order to please their bosses?
I call on the leadership of Cox Newspapers to fire the editor of the Dayton Daily News and issue an immediate apology to their readers. It's really the only way such an egregious lapse of standards should be dealt with, and the only way to begin restoring public trust and a reputation that has perhaps been irreparably damaged by personal zeal to promote a pet crusade.
If you don't apply severe sanctions and repudiate this outrage, the signal you'll send to the rest of your newspapers is it's OK--regardless of the issue, they can exploit and spin with your blessing as long as it fits a greater agenda. They can go ahead and abuse the trust of your customer base and you'll watch their backs. That will be the reputation you'll ensure for your entire empire.
I'd ask myself, especially in today's competitive, evolving, and most importantly, shrinking newspaper market--if you can really afford to give up another point or two of market share because political activists on your payroll recklessly and needlessly blew off yet more public trust. That doesn't serve you, it doesn't serve your owners, it doesn't serve your advertisers and it certainly doesn't serve your readers.
I urge you to fix this--no spin, no manipulation--just make it right and do it now.
Sincerely,
David Codrea
[Via Blogonomicon]
Sunday, January 13, 2008
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11 comments:
I have a suspicion that this has been "policy" for quite some time, at many newspapers (and other "mainstream" media). I guess they have sunk so low they are no longer ashamed of it.
The day of the newspaper is running out. Abuses like this will only hasten their demise.
I worked for Cox Enterprises a Decade ago. You think their papers are bad, you should see how the rest of their companies are run. They treat employees even worse! Lies and double-speak all in the name of profit. And I saw much worse while there, which is why I left after 5 years.
Ah--Cox "News"--employers of Tom Teepen.
Keep up the good work exposing the corrupt news media outlets. I am in shock there has not been any backlash from "we the people" regarding the lack of unbiased coverage in regards to the current election cycle. Black outs of certain candidates. Over exposure of others. The population is blatently being steered down the road chosen by corrupt media. I've got matches anyone have a torch?
David,
The institutional bias has been pronounced for quite a while, which is one big reason that I ceased purchasing newspapers. Heck with the growth of careebuilder and monster the papers are not even relevant for job searches. Heck the only use I have nowadays for newspaper is to light my charcoal, and grocery ads do just fine.
Gregg, grocery ads also serve a useful purpose. That is, informing you of potential deals to procure groceries
I like how they made use of a selective use a quote from my article posted on Buckeye Firearms:
"A member of Buckeye Firearms Association, an Ohio-based gun rights group, has caught on to this strategy. He recently posted on the group's Web site:
What "anti-gun groups, legislators and prosecutors can't accomplish by passing more anti-gun laws (realizing it's virtual political suicide), they are quietly pursuing ... through the back door by increasing the pool of prohibited persons. After all, who could be against keeping guns away from criminals?"End quote
What they failed to include was the following sentence:
"You could have the most lenient guns in the world for the law-abiding, but if everyone is a criminal prohibited from own a gun, you have accomplished by stealth what they fear to do in public. You have effectively disarmed the most of the populace without having to vote in favor for more gun control. Cowardly, but effective."
Bastards
Not news Jeff. I have commented the very same thing all over the internet for years. However, still relevant to point out. We seem to have a number of "gun rights supporters" too damn dim to understand it.
Here is my reply from Mr. Smith from the letter I sent him.
Mr. Horton: I have read the editorial that, I suspect, is the basis for your email to me. In no way does it suggest what you claim. I have copied Dayton Daily News Editor Kevin Riley, who, I am sure, will be happy to share with you a copy of the editorial so you can read it. Thank you for writing. Jay Smith
I called and left a message for Mr. Riley at 937 225 2191. You can also asked to be transferred to the Editorial Editior Ellen Bellger. Feel free to contact both of them and let them know how you feel.
My email as sent....waiting for a reply. I did get a callback but am playing phone tag at the moment. Here is the letter:
"As the author of the Buckeye Firearms article quoted in your op-ed published Saturday January 12th, I must object to the author selectively quoting portions of my article in support of The Dayton Daily News's call for more gun control. The article stated:
"In fact, the bill does throw some crumbs to the NRA — such as requiring a process be established that allows convicts and mentally disabled people to at least argue that they should have their gun rights restored."
"A member of Buckeye Firearms Association, an Ohio-based gun rights group, has caught on to this strategy. He recently posted on the group's Web site:
What "anti-gun groups, legislators and prosecutors can't accomplish by passing more anti-gun laws (realizing it's virtual political suicide), they are quietly pursuing ... through the back door by increasing the pool of prohibited persons. After all, who could be against keeping guns away from criminals?" End quote.
By selective placement and truncation of my quote you imply that I am advocating the restoration of felon's rights, which in my article I emphatically pointed out I was not. The article in it's entirety is here:
http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/article4124.html
What you didn't include makes all the difference to the original point of my article, the over criminalization of the justice system. The following the rest of the supporting paragraph:
" You could have the most lenient guns in the world for the law-abiding, but if everyone is a criminal prohibited from own a gun, you have accomplished by stealth what they fear to do in public. You have effectively disarmed the most of the populace without having to vote in favor for more gun control. Cowardly, but effective." End quote
While the Dayton Daily News is certainly entitled to their own opinions, you are most certainly not entitled to twist and misrepresent others stated opinions to support your own agenda. I would appreciate if you would copy this email to the news director Kevin Riley and the Editorial Editor Ellen Bellger (I apologize if the last name is spelled incorrectly). I can be reached at XXX-XXX-XXXX if any one would care to discuss this matter further.
Jeff Riley
Buckeye Firearms Association Volunteer
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