Blog-IT-o ergo sum

	12/9/2004

Maintaining Journalistic Objectivity

I point this out as yet another case of sloppy or intentionally incendiary journalism that commentators like Lex Alexander have recently complained aobut --- and should likewise decry to maintain principled consistency.

To keep tabs on part of my territory as JBS coordinator, I subcribe to a small weekly paper in Greenville, SC. It's put out almost single handedly by its owner and editor Bob Dill --- with the exception of the strong backup he gets from his office manager and wife LaVerle. For editorial content imagine the Rhino Times run by a Baptist instead of a Catholic.

Today's issue arrived in the mail with a front page story about "Liberal Media" getting upset about a recent appointment to the South Carolina Board of Education. The appointment in question was that of Ron Wilson, recently defeated as a Republican candidate for SC Senate and immediate past commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

The ONLY source used in the media reports for discrediting Mr. Wilson was a press release from the Southern Poverty Law Center. No secondary source was cited in media frenzy only people's reactions to being told what was in SPLC press piece.

Left out is the information that as the recent head of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, Mr. Wilson initiated a campaign to challenge the concerted attacks the SPLC has made against the SCV over the last several years.

To put it bluntly, the SPLC and the SCV do not get along, so anything put out by the one group against the other, or agents thereof, should be accorded due diligence rather than mass distribution without second source verification. To take a SPLC press release and then send it out over the wire services is hardly objective journalism.

At least in the case of the N&R story pointed out by Ed Cone today on a similar SPLC press release/fund raising item, the N&R to their credit, did seek out the people cited in the story for direct quotes and a rebuttal (hopefully described in context). In the case of The State paper in Columbia however, the only quotes sought were reactionary ones from people like state education tsar Inez Tenenbuam:

"I'm not acquainted with Mr. Wilson, but what I have read and heard about him today is very troubling, particularly his links to racist and anti-Semitic activities," said state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum.

Regardless of what you may think about the alleged issues involved, don't you think that at least one quote from Mr. Wilson would have been in order? If you want to get his side of the story call him at his company Atlantic Bullion and Coin 800-327-8606.

Sidebars:

That "C" in SCV sure sounds ominous but contrary to what the SPLC may have you believe, this southern heritage group is fully approved and recognized under NC Statute 20-79. (Click on Special Plates Viewer then Civic Clubs). Having actually had lunch with Mr. Wilson, I can also say that he does not measure up to the evil anti-Semetic racist the SPLC claims him to be.

I wish I had not missed my chance to meet the SPLC leader Morris Dees when he spoke at Guilford College a year or so ago so I could reciprocate with a personal impression in his case as well. What stock should I put in the objectivity in political matters of someone who served as finance director for Presidential candidates McGovern and Carter as well as for Senator Ted Kennedy?

10:52:17 PM

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