[Vision2020] Journalistic integrity

[Douglas]

Visionaries,

I think we are getting somewhere. I appreciate Greg's post.

I also agree with his other thoughts -- as I wrote in my column in the 
Daily News last Wednesday, I said as far as quotations go, on the "did 
too/did not" front, the article was fair enough. My problem was with the 
salient material that was left out, and with the bogus "occasion" or "hook" 
for the article -- the upcoming conference.

Cordially,

Douglas Wilson


At 01:47 PM 10/28/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>  I'll try to step out carefully now. If slavery will not be discussed at the
>conference, a simple correction should suffice. I certainly don't know the
>whole story, though.
>   The bulk of the article, which discusses the booklet and slavery and the
>Bible and hate and extremism is accurate?
>   Despite your note below Doug, the author uses an indirect quote to say
>"wilson says he does not support slavery and opposes racism." Even says you
>took care to make sure the booklet would not be perceived as a racist
>publication. Seems pretty clear to me.
>   As far as you being called a racist on all the AP wires, it seems to me
>that notion is forwarded by critics like Potok (although never stated
>outright) who are certainly entitled to their opinions. And, as clearly
>stated in the story, they are deriving their opinions from the booklet and
>your association with Wilkins.
>   On this point, it seems to me, the writer has done a nice job juxtaposing
>different viewpoints about a controversial figure ‹ you. Sorry, you seem to
>be the topic du jour. If I was to give the newspaper advice, it would be to
>dig deeper.
>   cheers, greg
>
>on 10/28/03 1:30 PM, Douglas at dougwils@moscow.com wrote:
>
> >
> >>
> >> Visionaries,
> >>
> >> Greg Burton asks:
> >>> My question is will Wilson and Wilkins discuss slavery or will they not?
> >>
> >> The answer is that no, we will not be discussing slavery. The conference
> >> is on Revolution and Modernity -- Marx, Robespierre, et al.
> >>
> >>> If so, the article is accurate in my mind.
> >>
> >> But if not, then the article is inaccurate, right? And the Daily News
> >> should correct it. The real issue in my mind here is that the Daily News
> >> is being as stubborn as the pope's mule. The only basis they had for
> >> connecting this conference and slavery was the fact the connection was
> >> made  for them by the anonymous Timid One.
> >>
> >>> Many times, too, a journalist will get a tip about something, examine the
> >>> veracity and go with the information if they can confirm it elsewhere.
> >>
> >> In this instance, the reporter confirmed with me that the conference was
> >> NOT about slavery. And the error appeared in print anyway. And the
> >> newspaper will not acknowledge it as an error.
> >>
> >>> Maybe that happened in this instance. If not, there should be a simple
> >>> correction or clarification. Further, the "journalistic integrity" slug
> >>> to this thread is a red herring.
> >>
> >> What brings journalistic integrity into question is not the initial
> >> mistake (although it is at least suspect). The thing that shows a lack of
> >> journalistic integrity is the simple refusal to acknowledge that the
> >> article wrongly identified the topic of the conference. What would be lost
> >> if the Daily News said, "The article xyz wrongly identified slavery as a
> >> topic in the upcoming history conference." They did that, the conference
> >> not about that. Why the reluctance?
> >>
> >>> The New York Times incident was about integrity and ethics, this seems
> >>> more like quibbling.
> >>
> >> It is only quibbling if you don't mind being called a racist on AP wires
> >> across the Pacific Northwest. But I do object to it. I do not mind (at
> >> all) standing up for what I believe. I do mind being made a defender of
> >> something I loathe. Quibbling?
> >>
> >> Cordially,
> >>
> >>
> >> Douglas Wilson
> >
> >
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>
>Greg Burton, Senior Editor
>Social Justice Desk
>The Salt Lake Tribune
>143 S. Main Street
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>gburton@sltrib.com