Politiking, not journalism

Thursday, February 17, 2005

I enjoyed the quote selection from Connie Jo Discoe for this story ("Don't want their MTV -- School won't help cable network recreate 2003 graduation prank" http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1089068.html). It's unfortunate that no quotes or references were made to the McCook School Board of Education members who supported the proposal -- I'm sure those three had a valid argument. But instead, the story aligns board member Dawn Andersen, high school principal Jerry Smith, and elementary principal Kathy Latta vs. McCook residents Dave Haller, bill Bieck and Tyler Bieck. The story does mention that the board was tied 3-3 on the proposal, but that is not what this story displays with the quote selection, I sense a bias within the writer on this issue. Let me speculate that she is a mother of one of the participants who does not want this to happen. If this is the case, then it makes this a piece of politicking, not journalism. Besides this ailment, I enjoy the McCook Daily Gazette very much. Thank you for your time.