The Indiana Publisher

Page 4 I ndiana newspapers must do a better job of explaining how we do our job as journalists. Prior to a recent Senate committee hearing, I was joking with the chair- man about how appreciative I was that he had not declared me an enemy of the people. He smiled, held his thumb and index finger an inch apart and said, "I was getting close." The senator sitting next to the chairman jumped in and said, "I know a half dozen newspapers in my area that are publishing fake news." A little stunned and with the hearing about to start, I didn't get the chance to ask which newspapers and what fake news had been reported. While discussing the New Voices legislation with a state representa- tive, he expressed his concern with the bias shown by cable news chan- nels. He then praised Fox News for its objectivity in having conservatives and liberals speak during its cover- age. Regardless of your political incli- nation, most people recognize that MSNBC reflects the views of liberals while Fox reflects the views of conser- vatives. The examples are illustrative of the lack of understanding concerning the journalistic standards of Indiana newspapers. Unlike cable news, news- papers have a tradition of separating opinion from reporting. Editorials are found on a clearly marked page for opinion, along with letters to the editor. A reporter's column is clearly identified so readers know this will reflect the view of the writer. News stories report information gleaned by a reporter who attends a public meeting or press conference, interviews sources, or found data in public records. Those news stories tell readers the source of information, either through quotation, paraphras- ing, or attribution to the record. The separation of fact and opinion, and attribution of sources, is carried out with a purpose–to build credibil- ity. People make a conscious decision to buy a newspaper. Without any credibility, a newspaper will lose that reader to another source. I'm not going to claim newspa- pers are perfect. Publishers, editors, reporters are all creatures of their experiences and it's impossible to be totally objective. Recognizing this fact, good journalists strive to be fair. They reach out to different points of view to cover a story, so readers can reflect upon the arguments made for or against a proposal and the credibil- ity of those sources cited. That doesn't mean reporters should ignore facts– votes taken, statements made, public expenditures approved. When officials say one thing, but their actions are contradictory, a journalist reports this information. With a skeptical public, newspapers need to make the effort to defend its practices. This can be done in differ- ent ways: Strong edits to remove traces of a reporter's bias, and clearly noting the sources of information for the story. Why or how a controversial story came to be published can be explained in an editorial or column. This can debunk a feeling that the newspaper has a vendetta against a particular public official or coverage is slanted to favor a particular political position. A declaration of principles from the publisher or editor provides transpar- ency to the news process, and allows readers to question the newspaper if it appears those principles aren't being applied. A profession that constantly pushes for government transparency should be willing to defend its own actions. An editorial reminding readers of the watchdog role newspapers have historically played in our democracy, and that role's protection in the Bill of Rights, should be an imperative during a time where our profession is under attack from even the President. If we don't educate the public on what real journalism is and its role as a check-and-balance on government, who will? Steve Key is executive director and general counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association. Key Points Steve Key Newspapers an enemy of the people? LIKE THE HOOSIER STATE PRESS ASSOCIATION ON FACEBOOK FOR INDUSTRY NEWS, DEADLINES AND UPDATES. inevitable temptation of power. They knew their experiment in self-government could succeed only with an engaged and informed citizenry, vigilant to abuses exposed by a free and unfettered press. The Founders' protection of free speech and press stands alongside separation of powers (which protects liberty through checks and balances within the government) as their most important and enduring legacy. Throughout our history, a watchdog press has played an immeasurable role in preserving and expanding American liberty; a private-sector insti- tution–with explicit Constitutional recognition and protection–holding the public sector accountable by freely reporting on its actions, with the people able to weigh those reports at the polls. In the mid-19 th century, the abolitionist press played a critical role in changing public opinion in favor of emancipation. Muckraking reporters and authors in the early 1900s exposed corruption and rallied voters to support political and labor reforms. In the 1970s, a president was driven from office by enterprising reporters. And in every community large and small, at all levels of government, for more than two centuries, those wielding power have done so knowing someone might be watching, with the Constitution and the courts safeguarding the right to publish their findings. The people and commercial enterprises fulfilling this watchdog role have evolved over time, in some cases for the better, in others not. Changing tech- nologies, demographics, habits, passions and parti- sanship have altered the media landscape and pose new challenges to our democracy. Abraham Lincoln said "let the people know the truth and the country will be safe." Finding that truth is journalism's mission, but the mission is harder to fulfill with a polarized citizenry increas- ingly seeking to be affirmed rather than informed, and with some in news and "infotainment" devoted less to truth than to causes (or ratings). Americans today can share a common apartment wall, but essentially live in different worlds, depend- ing on their media preferences and viewing habits. Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author David Maraniss wisely warns against succumbing to the "myth of the idyllic past," but it's worth pondering whether there was a time not long ago when there was at least more consensus as to what was fact. More immediately problematic for democracy at the state and local level is the economic devastation of the newspaper industry and demise of local news. Digital platforms and newspapers' inability to fully monetize the internet harken an old adage of the garment industry: "you can't make up in margins what you're giving away for free." Losing subscribers and advertising revenue led to massive layoffs in newsrooms, which in turn has led to less coverage of local government. This might be a comfort to officeholders and public employees who can work in the dark, but the long-term consequenc- es for competent, efficient and ethical government can only be negative. As Professors Danny Hayes and Jennifer Lawless of George Washington and American universities have noted in their research, "when the content of local news deteriorates–as has happened nation- wide in an era of newsroom austerity–so do citizen knowledge and participation... This development has potentially profound implications," they write. "To the extent that a knowledgeable and participatory citizenry is a marker of a healthy political system, the demise of local news should raise concerns about the operation of electoral democracy. An anemic news environment makes it more difficult for citi- zens to hold their local representatives accountable." And that, in the long run, is something we can ill afford. Mark Massa is a former newspaper reporter, state and federal prosecutor, and since 2012 has served as a justice on the Indiana Supreme Court. Watchdog Continued from Page 1 March 8, 2017 News in brief KPC Media Group Inc. announces the addition of David Thornberry to support orga- nizational growth in its advertising and digital marketing divisions. As the new Regional Advertising Sales Manager, Thornberry will primar- ily be responsible for the KPC sales team based in Fort Wayne. Those publications are, Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly, six INfortwayne.com publications (IN Aboite News, IN Dupont Valley, IN Northwest News, IN Northeast News, IN New Haven and IN Downtown), plus Churubusco News and Albion New Era, along with KPC's digital marketing divi- sion which includes printing, design, direct mail, advertising, website development, email newslet- ters and social media strategy. Thornberry brings many years of both print and digital sales expertise to the family-owned compa- ny having worked in high-level management and consulting positions for nearly 30 years at compa- nies such as DHI Media, Community Newspaper Holdings Inc., Denver Newspaper Agency, and Gatehouse Media. - KPC Media Group After 36-years on the job, Jim Avelis is retiring as Tribune Star (Terre Haute) photographer. Not only is Jim a talented and skilled photojour- nalist who cares deeply about his community and this newspaper, he is as nice a human being as you'd ever want to know. His work has made the newspaper better over three and half decades, and his presence enriched everybody around him. Jim was able to work through the technology advancements in photography and video with ease. He was a leader in applying new tools to the news- paper and internet journalism media. Mostly, Jim will be missed for his soft-spoken nature, his good humor, his dedication to his craft, his friendly collaboration and his commitment to doing great work and making compelling pictures. - Tribune-Star (Terre Haute) The handbook on Indiana's public access laws is available. In partnership with the Office of the Public Access Counselor, and Indiana Attorney General, the Hoosier State Press Association will mail this resource to members on April 1st. To receive a hard copy, please complete the online form at www.hspa.com/ access-handbook. Thornberry joins KPC Media Reserve public access handbook Reflection on 30-year career Thornberry

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