Message for Journalists
A writer for the New Times Broward-Palm Beach, an alternative weekly, blogs about the media in South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach). In that region, just like in the Rio Grande Valley, a lot of corruption takes place. Also like in South Texas, those bastards keep getting away with it.
At the end of this post on local corruption, the writer has a message for his fellow reporters, one that every journalist should hear:
That's why I'm glad the Valley has its own alternative weekly, The Paper of South Texas (which I freelance for). That's one more guardian looking out for taxpayers. Let's hope other RGV reporters wake up and heed this call to uncover corruption in their own backyard.
At the end of this post on local corruption, the writer has a message for his fellow reporters, one that every journalist should hear:
I want every reporter who reads this thing to make a vow today to uncover some corruption this year. Go all the way. Don’t just touch it and say you’re finished. Close the fucking deal. And then fight for it against the sap-headed editor who quit living years ago and doesn’t want to actually feel anything like adrenaline touch his or her tepid bloodstream. It’s time to wake up.Community watchdog groups and a few local bloggers try to keep an eye on public officials who are up to no good, but think how much more gets done when someone (that is, a reporter) gets paid to root out corruption full-time.
That's why I'm glad the Valley has its own alternative weekly, The Paper of South Texas (which I freelance for). That's one more guardian looking out for taxpayers. Let's hope other RGV reporters wake up and heed this call to uncover corruption in their own backyard.
posted by Mack T. Harrison at 10:53 AM
6 Comments:
great post mack!
brave words coming from a blogless chap.
Yes, that's a very thoughtful comeback.
I invite you to do better than Mack. Show us how it's done as you are obviously an expert.
Mack has plenty of original opinion pieces. He did excellent work at The Monitor, too. El Rocinante also posts from other blogs and takes commentary from The Herald. How is that different?
I am all for a free press that strives to keep a check on corruption from penetrating our government system. However, I do not agree with smearing a persons name for the purpose of satisfying a personal agenda. I believe The Paper has lost sight of this goal when they reported on the situation in La Joya ISD, regarding the superintendent.
If this publication is all for rooting out corrupted officials, then why would they publicly endorse a political slate that itself has been corrupt. Corrupt in a sense that they are “toying” with peoples jobs-their life, a means of supporting their children- to satisfy a political agenda. Apparently though, this publication seems to ignore these types of actions since they (USA) have impressive resumes, “While education and experience don’t automatically equal honesty and frugality The Paper is impressed with the resumes of Garza-Uresti, Salinas and Alaniz”(emphasis mine). Even when this board admits to its true intentions when stating, “It’s political, I’m not going to lie,” and follows up on these intentions when reassigning seven other administrators, this publication is surprisingly silent. Where is the story in bringing to light the corrupt politicians who are making room for their own people to fill these vacant spots? As in the case of the superintendent, these people were reassigned with no stated reason, other than the “it’s political” statement made in reference to Mrs. Leo.
Instead, this publication continues its attack on what it deems political opposition, since they did endorse the team that was running against a party supported by her husband, by printing false statements. This is seen in one of their editorials, in describing her ascent to the top position in the district, “She managed to do this without a doctoral degree and allegedly without the required superintendent’s certification bestowed by the Texas Education Agency to deserving applicants.” A PhD was never a requirement for that position in La Joya ISD, and the proper certification needed for the job was there as well and recognized by the state. Those are erroneous statements and might even be considered libelous. Furthermore, the use of the word “allegedly” is not the first time words like this are used in this publications printings. As bloggers, do we not constantly try to provide facts to justify our statements? When did it become acceptable to print information based on hearsay and not concrete evidence?
I’m glad the valley has its own alternative weekly as well, I just hope that it would use more caution before they print inaccuracies and try to provide a little bit more fair and balanced reporting.
Alcatraz, Strange Bedfellows, you two take it outside.
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