Editorial/Op

Let’s Be Honest

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An Editorial by Dave Freneaux

    I believe that when a community such as Central has only one or two sources for its news, there is a “Public Trust” to tell the truth without intentional bias.  My degree from LSU is in Accounting, not Journalism, but I figured if Thomas Jefferson could write the Declaration of Independence without a Journalism degree, I could at least write a few newspaper articles.  Concerned that I be at least mindful of a Journalist’s responsibilities to the readers, I searched for and found the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics.  I offer the following excerpts:

•           Test the accuracy of information from all sources… Deliberate distortion is never permissible.

•           Make certain that headlines… do not misrepresent. They should not oversimplify or highlight incidents out of context.

•           Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled and not misrepresent fact or context.

•           Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.

•           Expose unethical practices of journalists and the news media.

    Considering these as at least a starting point for acceptable news reporting in our Central Community, I challenge all readers to evaluate the headlines and the articles presented by any media in Central as news, and to see if they meet these standards.  Speaking for myself and CentralSpeaks.com, I welcome constructive criticism and will readily consider any verifiable information a reader may bring to me.  If I have misreported a pertinent fact, I will print the correct fact.  If I have left out a pertinent fact, I will print a correction and include it.

    I have a vested interest in the citizens of Central having unbiased news, because I live here.  These are my friends, neighbors and relatives.  This is where I work, play, worship and socialize.  I have always said that Central is the greatest place on earth to live and raise a family.  Help make Central all it can be by holding all of our news media sources, including CentralSpeaks.com, to a high standard of truth. – Dave Freneaux, Editor, CentralSpeaks.com

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