Newspaper communications a two-way street

Page 6

Guest Editorial

Newspapers, magazines and other like print material are instruments designed to create an awareness and understanding of what happens in the world around us and to impart such information to the public.

No informational tract, however, can operate in isolation and each has a duty to its readership. That role cannot be accommodated when the self-interests of individuals or groups do not cooperate.

Sometimes, lack of cooperation is by design. When information is wilfully inaccurate and misleading, not only does a news service not perform to its capacity, it also renders a disservice to the community is intended to serve.

Newspaper reporting is dependent upon fair, accurate and unbiased information. Should self-interest groups provide damaging or wrongful information, they are doing more harm than they may think.

A recent example of foregoing occurred when one of our Windspeaker reporters was intentionally deceived by being given a time frame in which a particular meeting was to commence. The time stated was no less than an hour after the fact. Consequently, some important details of the meeting were missed and that is unfair, not only to us but, to our readership.

We, as a news service, have a special obligation to perform, and the mindless antics of those who purposely abuse the media as a vehicle for their own gain(s) are doing an injustice.

Media relies heavily on the invaluable contributions of its sources which are generally credible individuals. If said sources do not employ fairness or accuracy in their accounts, they should simply "butt out."