Here’s an Ole Seagullisim, “Newspapers report what those who control them want them to report exactly the way they want to report it.”Some might say, “Well I can see that happening at the national level but it doesn’t happen at the local level, does it?”Of course it does.
For the last two years the Branson City Administrator has been deeply involved with bringing the Branson Landing Project and Convention Center to Branson.Just as the state approves the TIF, which enables the Convention Center, and the project is getting ready to break out of the starting gate, the City Administrator goes to Naples, Florida to interview for a new job.
In most cities the size of Branson, particularly under these circumstances, that’s a news story. Evidently, not in Branson!Were it not for the fact that this paper reported the story in its June 6-7 edition, there would have been no newspaper coverage of this event.Why, quite simply, because either those having the responsibility to report the news, their editors, or their publishers decided not to report it.
In another situation, the Ole Seagull made a presentation to the Taney County Commissioners on
There were two reporters at the meeting and the tax represents millions of potential tourism marketing dollars to the area.But, were it not for the fact that the Taney County Times and its sister publication, this paper, reported on the event, the public would have had no practical way of knowing what took place or that the matter was currently under consideration by the Commissioners.Why, quite simply, because either those having the responsibility to report the news, their editors, or their publisher decided not to report it.
How about the case of the local entertainer who was arrested and charged, by the Branson Police Department, for “Leaving the Scene of an Accident,” “Driving While Intoxicated,” and “Assaulting a Police Officer,” a few months back?At the time all the local papers, except this one, published a short article on the arrest.Was it an illusion?What is the current status of the case?Is it being handled any differently than a similar case would be handled for those who are not celebrities or have no clout or influence?
How bad can it get?As bad as advertising, personal pettiness, clout, and personal relationships are permitted to influence whether or not, and how, a story is written or published.It adds real meaning to what the newspaper industry means when they herald “freedom of the press.”Could it be that what they really mean is the “freedom for them to decide what the news is and then control how and when it will be presented?”
Why the Ole Seagull has even heard reports that there is the possibility that, in one or more small communities around our area, the publisher of the local paper has actually prohibited the publication of anything involving the names of one or more persons within the community in their paper.Now there’s a “cockamany” idea that sets new standards of journalistic professionalism and ethics!
