The Demise of Journalistic Intergity

[Interested Girl]

I read the Opinion Page of this weeks Walton Sun and was shocked by the headline which asks the question " What is up with these non-paid political boards"

This headline states that the two boards are non paying positions and that is either aann attempt to mislead the public or is another example of the demise of journalistic integrity by the author.

Fact: The Board members of the South Walton Mosquito Board receive compenstion in the folling manner:
300.00 per month plus benefits including medical insurance and partipation in the state retirement system. The total value of the compensation is around 12,000 per board member.

Fact: Each of the South Waltion Fire District board members receive 500.00 per month for their service. Total cost to the taxpayers is budgeted at 45,000 for the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

Highly compensated individuals ? No, but they do receive some compensation.

A lack of "truth" on this single issue is just another example of the total lack of journalistic integrity.

Why should anyone place any faith in what is printed in this newspaper. Time and time again they just get the facts wrong and show that their opinion counts for nothing.

Many other parts (the boards ability t limit a persons right to serve based on family associations)of this article show a total lack of understanding of democracy in America.

Just a weekly souce of fish wrapping paper.

How disappointing.

 

[sunspotbaby]

Don't read it...or take it up with the writer... or use it as a fish wrapper.
This is really getting old. :roll:

 

[elgordoboy]

Don't read it...or take it up with the writer... or use it as a fish wrapper.
This is really getting old. :roll:

Perhaps I am missing some under currents here. Is what the op stated true, a misrepresentation, an outright lie, or something else?

 

[Kurt]

I read the Opinion Page

The piece you mention aside, I don't think ethics, integrity, or journalistic knowledge are prerequisites for opinion pieces. The real point of them are to get you thinking, talking, reading, annoyed, etc. - mission accomplished.

 

[Interested Girl]

Kurt:
I appreciate your thoughts on the role of "Opinion Pieces" in the journalistic world.

Yes they allow the reader to gauge the opinion of the writer against their own and can cause the reader to form viewpoints in agreement or a totally different perspective.

I also believe that many accept the opinion to be based on "fact" as the write sees the issue. When the opinion is based on factual misrepresentations ( they are non-paid) then they are worthy of comment to set the record straight.

Just my opinion.

 

[grumpyfish]

Don't read it...or take it up with the writer... or use it as a fish wrapper.
This is really getting old. :roll:

How would you know if I didn't take it up with the editor. Remember, this is a free paper, so they can say whatever they want. And nobody would know if a rebuttal was submitted because they don't print them anyway. I think it's pretty irresponsible to get less than half the facts, and insult the citizens intelligence by attempting to spoon feed this pony loaf and pass this crap off as accurate & fair news. And if you don't like to read this FORUM, don't read it. :angry:

 

[sunspotbaby]

How would you know if I didn't take it up with the editor. Remember, this is a free paper, so they can say whatever they want. And nobody would know if a rebuttal was submitted because they don't print them anyway. I think it's pretty irresponsible to get less than half the facts, and insult the citizens intelligence by attempting to spoon feed this pony loaf and pass this crap off as accurate & fair news. And if you don't like to read this FORUM, don't read it. :angry:

:roll: Sounds like there's a bone in you fish.

 

[Interested Girl]

I did a little research on other Boards and there members "family ties". The position taken in the Sun Opinion piece expouses a position that the SWFD should adopt a position that restricts a persons ability to honorably serve based upon a litmus test of "close family".

It appears that Ken Pridgen should not be allowed to serve as a County Commissioner (his daughter works for the county).

Larry Jones - should be barred as well - his son-in-law works for the County.

Mark Davis should not be allowed to serve - his brother is a principal in the Walton County School system.

Darrell Barnhill can't serve either - his wife is a teacher.

Robert Nelson can't serve u his wife is a non-instructional employee.

Why stop with the SWFD board?

Just my opinion.

 

[Interested Girl]

I did a little research on other Boards and their members "family ties". The position taken in the Sun Opinion piece expouses a position that the SWFD should adopt a position that restricts a persons ability to honorably serve based upon a litmus test of "close family".

It appears that Ken Pridgen should not be allowed to serve as a County Commissioner (his daughter works for the county).

Larry Jones - should be barred as well - his son-in-law works for the County.

Mark Davis should not be allowed to serve - his brother is a principal in the Walton County School system.

Darrell Barnhill can't serve either - his wife is a teacher.

Robert Nelson can't serve u his wife is a non-instructional employee.

All of these have or would serve honorably and without ethical problems.

Why is this all of a sudden problem with the SWFD board? Only the writer of the opinion piece can answer, but I have my own opinion.

 

[Bob Wells]

Amazing, just read the opinion page and find it amazing that they would even print that dribble. Gwen, you and your group should be ashamed and should also maybe ask some questions about what the Firefighter Union has attempted to do in the past and what the Fire Boards attorney advised them. It suprises me that Jack Abbit and Ed Wright did not tell you about the advice or did you just guess how this was run, or did Jack and Ed write this opinion page for you, because it sure sounds this way.