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October 18, 2006
Spocking The Press
Spock the Press
The following opinion is written in response to an article and a column in the Wednesday, 10/18/06 Bozeman Daily Chronicle:
In media law - most of which relies on precedent - the "right of fair comment" was summarized in the 1930 federal case, Hoeppner vs. Dunkirk Pr.Co.: "Everyone," the summary says, "has a right to comment on matters of public interest and concern, provided they do so fairly and with an honest purpose. Such comments or criticism are not libelous, however severe in their terms, unless written maliciously. Thus it has been held that books, prints, pictures and statuary publicly exhibited, and the architecture of public building, and actors and exhibitors are all legitimate subjects of newspapers' criticism, and such criticism fairly and honestly made is not libelous, however strong the terms of censure may be."
But there's another consideration most newspaper editors take seriously - even more so than their inherent protection to "call a spade a spade," especially in small town newspapers, is to never subject revenues to being held hostage by advertisers who disagree with the coverage of this or that.
This First Rule of so-called "community journalism" is obeyed with a vengeance by our local press. No matter that at a public forum a legislator is rude beyond common courtesy, Bob Gibson, Chronicle editor, would never permit his writers to label that legislator as rude, pompous or that he is flat-out liar. Gibson would argue that such common adjectives are beneath him and his staff; that "common courtesy" does not call for such language, blah, blah, blah.
This, despite the fact that his butt is fully covered by the law case cited above.
But it really isn't any secret is it? Most of us know that the reason the Chronicle avoids harsh, realistic judgments of certain personalities is based on pure pachydermic economics: Most of the businesses in Bozeman are owned and run by Republicans, and the way they take umbrage to disagreeable opinions is to threaten their display advertising salesperson - or the publisher - to cancel their annual contract.
I know this first hand having once sold advertising for the Chronicle. If this has changed since 1996, I'd be very surprised.
Take Walt Williams' report in the 10/18 Chronicle about the candidates' forum at the Gallatin Gateway Community Center - "Vincent, Koopman square off at debate." [I will first acknowledge that at least the article was given front page, above-the-fold positioning] The editor who headlined Williams' story used the euphemism "square off" as if Koopman's "angrily accusing Vincent" infers John Vincent responded with like vehemence - not the case (I was there, too). Further on, Williams writes: "Koopman tried to argue with Vincent but was stopped by Maison [moderator, Sally Maison] after she tried to tell Koopman several times he had already used his turn."
What happened is that Koopman raised his voice. Waived his arms. Ignored the timekeeper holding up the "finished" sign three times. And was rude, extremely rude, to Maison. No wonder: Koopman set the tone of his disregard for moderator Maison at the beginning of the evening by slinging a left-handed compliment at her: "This is so well organized, you might think Sally is a Republican."
In other words: Sally is a Democrat. A woman! Someone undeserving of Monsignor Koopman's respect.
But the point is Vincent didn't take the bait (as I did - going up to Koopman afterwards and asking: "Why are you so g----m rude?); instead, Vincent smiled and held up the 2005 legislative record book to verify his assertions: Koopman did vote against all six meth bills, especially HB 60 (which kept it from being transmitted to the Senate for that body's consideration).
Since Williams might lose his job calling Koopman: "Rude," "Pompous," "a Liar," I'll do it for him: Roger Koopman is Rude. Roger Koopman is Pompous. And Roger Koopman is a liar.
Go ahead: Cancel your advertising - this press is totally free!
Posted by admin at October 18, 2006 11:56 AM