Recently and almost exclusively due to the Anderson Fire Protection District's ongoing investigation of Fire Chief Joe Piccinini, the Valley Post's coverage of that investigation has drawn some criticism, both public and private.
However, when I attempt to find out from those same critics what it is they find objectionable, invariably they point to public comments made on the newspaper's Web site www.andersonvalleypost.com or to editorial comments I have written. One or two folks have even mentioned an editorial cartoon.
Readers, please remember our U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to speak and express written opinions freely as well as guaranteeing freedom of the press to cover events both public and private for the general education of an informed electorate. We will celebrate those freedoms along with the birth of our great nation on July 4.
Statements of opinion are clearly labeled in our newspaper and kept separate on the Editorial page from all news coverage. It is the role of a newspaper to make pertinent comment on items of interest as a way to stimulate public discourse and free thought.
News coverage - and most journalists worthy of the title take great care in this matter - is supposed to be fair, accurate and balanced in presenting the facts. Any opinions stated in a news story are limited and properly attributed to a source, eyewitness, expert or someone with knowledge about the subject of that news story.
I firmly believe that if a person looks solely at the news articles published in the Valley Post or on our Web site, that we have held to this high standard.
As one of my favorite newspaper editors, Charles A. Dana, once stated in 1888 during a lecture to the Wisconsin Editorial Association, "News is undoubtedly a great thing in a newspaper. A newspaper without news is no newspaper. The main function of a newspaper is to give the news and tell you what has happened in the world, what events have occurred of all sorts, political, scientific and nonsensical."
Dana went on to say, "The newspaper must be founded upon human nature. It must correspond to the wants of the people. It must furnish that sort of information which the people demand or else it never can be successful."
What's Your Opinion: March 17, 2010
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 7
HeardEnough writes:
defamation, known falsehoods, threats of tomatos being tossed, and baseless accusations are better left to the individuals involved. for the newspaper to offer a venue for this is wrong. how is "freedom of speech" to be honored when the people slinging the dirt do so under a username? john hancock boldly signed his name to the constitution. there was a time in journalism that letters to the editor were not accepted anonymously. your paper has allowed a select group to run a hate campaign against 3 council persons, the fireboard, our esteemed police chief, several firefighters and the city attorney. each charge by this hate group was proven to be false, yet as management of the paper, you allowed it to continue. your recent editorial showed no merit in light of recent events. there is NO conspiracy on the part of 3 longtime council members to run anderson. had you bothered to research, you would have found there is no "voting block".
when did our forefathers ok the right to spread vicious lies publicly under "freedom of speech"? was that their intent? under freedom of speech, would you allow the publishing of hate messages directed towards minorities?
under freedom of speech would you knowingly publish an opinion based on known false accusations?
your paper, by allowing that garbage, has shown a lack of character and out and disregard for the firefighters, fireboard, and public officials. did you ever bother to research the charges? it would have been easy to contact mr. fitzpatrick to see if the investigation of the fire chief was legal. why, after the meeting that addressed this issue, did you not state in the article that the "concerned citizens group" accusations were unfounded? as editor you are very new to the area. you have no history of anderson.
one of those attacked was dale webb, who i consider a "friend". he paid his dues, came up from the ranks and was awarded the job of "chief". a hometown boy succeeded! did you talk to paul bosetti? having known paul for over 30 years, i doubt he would vote any way but the right way. he can't be bought or bullied.
i have no idea what this investigation contains. i know the firefighters brought the complaint. i know the fireboard has asked the grand jury to look into their handling of the issue. i know that the accusations by the "concerned citizens group" have proven to be wrong. you and your paper continued to allow the publishing in the comment section.
freedom of speech allows the citizens to protest against the government. freedom of the press allows the media to research and disavow falsehoods and we reply on it for truth. i'm not a journalist. you know the law. i know what's ethical and right. perhaps legal, this smear campaign was not ethical. i'm sure it has created a chasm between you and the 3 council members, the fire department, fire board, and other public officials. it has certainly created one with me. i can no longer reply on your publication for the "truth".
HeardEnough writes:
as you enjoy your fourth of july, think about what kind of american you are. one who allows libelous statements to be published or an american who knows what is wrong, but allows it to happen under the guise of "freedom of speech"?
AkashicBadger writes:
HeardEnough,
Welcome to 2009. Brochures are available to help you with your transition. Have a nice day.
ForAnderson writes:
It is amazing how much we feel the "truth" should be written as our own perception of it. Anything disagreeing with us is automatically a lie? I don't think so. We may have different perceptions, but we still have freedom of speech.
The Concerned Citizens Group has brought up several legal issues having to do with this whole mess. They have NOT been proven wrong. I do not know what rock you are living under, HeardEnough, but welcome into the light of the real world. We all have a right to express our thoughts, opinions and ideas.
If writing under a user name is so wrong, why aren't YOU using your real name, HeardEnough? Enjoy those 2009 brochures.
I admire newspaper journalists for digging into sources and bringing what is really happening out for all of us to know. Where there is smoke, there is usually fire.
Nuff said!!
andersonsnooper360 writes:
Unless "HeardEnough" is your real name, aren't you also slinging mud under a username?
The investigation was illegal and a hasty attempt at a cover up to pull the fire board out of hot water is only a band aid on a gapping wound.
AndersonMom writes:
HeardEnough wrote:
i can no longer reply on your publication for the "truth".
Then please, stop replying. You stated that people are here under "user names". I'll make you a deal. I will post my real name as soon as you do. At least that way, you and I can discuss over the phone or perhaps face to face what a "bonafide whack job" I am. If you are going to say things about people, you should know them. I know Norma. I know Keith. I know Butch. I've said nothing that I wouldn't say in a court of law. That which I've stated seriously has been the truth and may God strike me dead if I've lied. Why lie though? They've done enough to talk about that lies aren't necessary. I have the right to speak my opinion and since I am a legal adult, nobody can stop that or speak for me with out my authorization. So, I speak my opinion here. Of course, I've also spoken it in other places and will not be quiet whether you believe me a whack job or not. The AVP has done a great job keeping their stories impartial. Letters to the editor are NOT FROM AVP. They are TO AVP. Editorials are from the Author, again not a story from the paper. So please, before you bash AVP, take a moment to gather your facts. Even if AVP didn't have a comment section, there would be some available avenue online. Through comments, blogs, self-published stories, and independent websites, this story and these opinions would still be out there.
BlueSuedeShoes writes:
This time, the Fire Board has created a mess that will NOT go away. They keep trying to put little fixes on a wound that just keeps getting bigger and bigger. You know, people, when you are already in a deep hole, why keep digging yourselves deeper?
I cannot believe how these people think they can run Anderson to suit themselves and be so sanctimonious about it. It has caught up with all of them. Everyone knows that it all starts with one little lie and then another one to cover that and so forth until the liar cannot remember what he/she has told, nor do they any longer recognize the difference between the truth and a lie. That is where the three on the Fire Board are living.
It does catch up with the perpetrator after a while.
Believe me when I say that this unrest with the unholy trinity is growing daily. Residents all over Anderson are sick and tired and just want them out of the council so we can put in council persons who will be fair and equitable.
The voters have your number and are ready to vote you out, Comnick, Schaeffer & Webster.
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