What is journalism for?
Stew Rieckman has an interesting piece of advice for the Common Council in his column today:
Why doesn't The Northwestern answer this question? I, for one, would sure like to know.
The paper's news story on Thursday about the Council's approval of this year's Sawdust Days permit had this tantalizing line:
Inquiring minds would like to know (more) about what Mr. Stephany does for Sawdust Days.
It would also be interesting to know what Paul Esslinger's connection to Sawdust Days is prescisely. Here's another quote from Thursday's paper:
Here's a suggestion that the seven members of the council might find illuminating. Ask your parks director what direct connection and personal interest he has in Sawdust Days. Then determine if he is an unbiased, objective steward of public parks and has the best interest of the neighborhood at heart. Here's a hint: The guy's hobby is Cajun and Zydeco music and hot sauce.
Why doesn't The Northwestern answer this question? I, for one, would sure like to know.
The paper's news story on Thursday about the Council's approval of this year's Sawdust Days permit had this tantalizing line:
City Parks Director Tom Stephany, who runs one of the activities at the event separate from his duties for the city, told councilors during the meeting that many of the neighbors' concerns had been addressed.
Inquiring minds would like to know (more) about what Mr. Stephany does for Sawdust Days.
It would also be interesting to know what Paul Esslinger's connection to Sawdust Days is prescisely. Here's another quote from Thursday's paper:
The seven-member council approved the permit with a 6-0 vote. Councilor Paul Esslinger voted present because the company he works for has a business relationship with Sawdust Days.
posted by Miles Maguire at 9:34 AM
10 Comments:
Good points Miles! I think the ONW is an opinion only newspaper. They have opinions but will not do the investigative work without much prodding (probably in an effort to save $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$). I do not see them as the newspapers of old when newspapers actually investigated and really reported on stories.
Miles i agree with you about Tom S. Somebody should really look into that!
Esslisnger said that the company he works for is somehow doing work for Sawdust Daze. I think he works for a radio station selling ads so maybe they are buying ad time on his station.
Nice job Miles. Journalism by supposition.
Instead of inferring that something is amiss, why don't you get off your duff and call Paul and Tom and ask them? Is this what it has come to, you can't even pick up a phone and get answers?
Esslinger said he couldn't vote because the company he works for has business dealings with Sawdust Days, isn't that what he was supposed to do? And if he would have voted on Sawdust Days, you'd be all over him for that too.
And yes, Stephany has an interest in Sawdust Days, IT'S RUN IN ONE OF THE PARKS, AND HE'S THE PARKS DIRECTOR. GET IT? MY GOD!
Your loyal followers are hoping that you can solve these great mysteries Miles. And when you're done solving these, join the legions that are trying to figure out who was on the grassy knoll.
What a joke!
What I found interesting is that your post is even more ambiguous than Stew's piece.
The kettle is calling the pot black.
Miles, apparently you, as a blog administrator, are not allowed to comment on the inability of the ONW to perform fundamental investigative work. I support you Miles. Keep up the good work.
How sad that Anonymous 2:16 and CJ don't understand the difference between what Miles does and what the ONW does.
2:16 in particular needs to take a remedial reading course. You see, it wasn't Miles who infered something was amiss, it was the ONW. They published the editorial and stories Miles referred to. All Miles did was ask the ONW to expound on its coverage instead of lobbying innuendo and leaving it land wherever it may.
Posters like 2:16 really ought to not let their personal aliances with certain people and issues surrounfing them stand in their way of reading comprehension and objectivity.
I heard Tom S. was a big supporter of sidewalks in one upscale Oshkosh subdivision.
:)
Ah, but I do understand the difference between what the ONW and Miles' blog do.
And they could both be so much better!
I do agree that innuendo has no place in hard news. OP/Ed's are a different animal. It appears that Stew R. knows something and isn't at liberty to say at this time. Should he have written about it anyway? Probably not. Eventually the info will bubble up if anyone's particularly interested in finding out.
Yet, when I think of journalism (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong) I think of the gathering, interpretation and reporting of news. What was written was an opinion column.
Miles- What is journalism for?
CJ--It's a simple question, but one that can be taken (and answered) in different ways.
My answer is this: The main rationale for journalism should be to improve the workings of society, politically, economically, culturally, etc.
In today's technological environment, journalism has been opened up to include lots of players (and lots of different kinds of playing).
Some of those players are individuals with limited time and resources, while others of those players are multibillion dollar corporations with extensive resources.
I am at a loss as to why a corporation like Gannett would pose a question about a public official and then withhold the answer.
I don't see how that improves the community.
If the mainstream press wants to argue that it deserves a special place (and I think it does deserve that place and should make that argument), then it needs to do more than just raise questions, particularly if it already knows the answers.
Are amateur blogs and profit-driven newspapers the same thing, or even the same kinds of thing, i.e. pots and kettles.
I think not. I hope not.
They may both be forms of journalism, but the goals and expectations are, rightfully, different.
An individual blogger is mostly a passive observer; a full-time journalist, particularly one who has a full-time staff of news gatherers at his disposal, has the ability to bring facts to light to shape discussion and decisions.
A journalism of fact will always, or at least eventually, be the more valued.
Miles,
I would like to add that journalism is about relaying information-- a most important aspect.
Thank you for the thoughtful reply. It is appreciated.
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