Serving the Public Trust?

The following is a copy of not-yet-published Public Mind article submitted to our local newspaper, the Parsons Sun, 11/14/2019:

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Serving the public trust?

To the Sun:

The November 14 edition of the Sun included a front-page Washington (AP) article titled, “As impeachment effort goes public, new evidence given.” A writing evidencing that its eye-catching title is duly matched by an overwhelming majority of politically-partisan content. One clearly tailored to support the article’s early-on stated claim that, testifying career diplomats delivered a striking though complicated account that Democrats say reveals a president abusing his office, and the power of American foreign policy, for personal political gain.

And clearly not the result of oversight, this obviously politically-biased Washington (AP) article intentionally fails to responsibly draw fair and balanced attention to the “other side” of the pathetic story being played out in Washington. “Another side” recognized by any open-minded individuals who chose to suffer through the so-called November 13 public impeachment hearings, which reportedly will continue for another week or so.

Yes, conspicuously absent from referenced Washington (AP) article, and from the Sun’s November 14 edition, was an equally-detailed “other side of the story.” For example, one reflected in other opinion articles, such as the New York Post’s, November 13 article, titled, “Goodwin: Adam Schiff’s dull impeachment hearings are a flop.” Articles holding the view, for example, that in their first day of public impeachment hearings, it was demonstrated just how weak the Democrat’s case for impeachment is. And, how, in mostly dull, uneventful testimony, the Democrats’ “star” witnesses openly complained about policy decisions they disliked, while disregarding the fact that our “elected” U.S. Presidents set foreign policy, not our “unelected” career diplomats. And, most revealing of all, rather than offering “actual” evidence, referenced November 13 “star” witnesses merely cited third- and fourth-hand rumors, as neither testifying “career diplomat” ever had direct contact with the accused President Trump.

Now, this Public Opinion feedback does not mean to in any way declare, infer, or imply that any privately-owned media, such as the Parsons Sun, does not have the business-right to publish, and to not publish, that which they choose. Nevertheless, this writing does unapologetically hold that the public trust would be much more responsibly served if fair and balanced publications (both sides of the story) were routinely employed. Especially when dealing with subjects as truly nation-critical as efforts to unseat a U.S. President . . . regardless of political party.

—William James Moore Parsons, KS 11/14/2019

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“Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one.” —often attributed to American journalist, A.J. Liebling (1904-1963).