Wednesday, February 15, 2006
BROKEN PROMISES
Here is the letter I sent to the Daily Illini, my college alma mater's daily paper. Did you ever think you would see a group of "journalists" try to pass off no news is good news as their new mantra? silly.
Regarding, the publication of the editorial cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed: You are going to write about the details surrounding the story, show pictures related to the story, and debate in your editorial pages the meaning of the story. However, some of you feel that you do not owe the readers of your publication the right to view the material at the heart of the controversy. You have chosen to censor yourselves and deny others the information to make an informed decision. That is not journalism.
I'm really not sure from where the "right" to not be offended springs. It does seem to have bred an entire class of those "chronically offended". By misusing the goals of diversity and tolerance, they seek to suppress others points of view usually by slandering those as racist who dare to disagree. Others resort to outright threats. Some of you are obviously willing to give up the rights of a free press and the right to free speech to avoid such a confrontation. You rationalize your irresponsibility and lack of courage by patting yourselves on the back and admiring your "sensitivity".
When I read the Daily Illini staff was the first collegiate publication in the nation to act like real journalists, I was very proud. Much to my dismay, but not surprise, the back-pedaling soon began from the Chancellor on down. A truly great news publication should be a place where one can go and get all pertinent information necessary to understand and form an opinion on an issue. It should be a place where those of differing viewpoints can debate these subjects. In a proper news story, one must present all the facts. Certainly, no one should be suspended from their jobs for doing so.
Sadly, you broke your promise. Predictably, you don't even realize it.
Regarding, the publication of the editorial cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed: You are going to write about the details surrounding the story, show pictures related to the story, and debate in your editorial pages the meaning of the story. However, some of you feel that you do not owe the readers of your publication the right to view the material at the heart of the controversy. You have chosen to censor yourselves and deny others the information to make an informed decision. That is not journalism.
I'm really not sure from where the "right" to not be offended springs. It does seem to have bred an entire class of those "chronically offended". By misusing the goals of diversity and tolerance, they seek to suppress others points of view usually by slandering those as racist who dare to disagree. Others resort to outright threats. Some of you are obviously willing to give up the rights of a free press and the right to free speech to avoid such a confrontation. You rationalize your irresponsibility and lack of courage by patting yourselves on the back and admiring your "sensitivity".
When I read the Daily Illini staff was the first collegiate publication in the nation to act like real journalists, I was very proud. Much to my dismay, but not surprise, the back-pedaling soon began from the Chancellor on down. A truly great news publication should be a place where one can go and get all pertinent information necessary to understand and form an opinion on an issue. It should be a place where those of differing viewpoints can debate these subjects. In a proper news story, one must present all the facts. Certainly, no one should be suspended from their jobs for doing so.
Sadly, you broke your promise. Predictably, you don't even realize it.
