Irresponsible Journalism

I read the Op/Ed section of my local papers, as well as a few others online. I firmly believe in the open exchange of ideas and opinions. I tend to lean toward agreement with liberal columnists, but I find some value and merit in the conservative viewpoint. When it comes to free speech, I believe we, as individuals, become the filters for what is to be heard and allowed. We can choose to screen ourselves from that which we do not agree with, or can cause harm. But to ignore that which can be damaging to our society or community is irresponsible. It is with this in mind that I wrote the following letter to my local paper:

To the Editorial Board of the Mount Vernon News

From Shawn & Helen Svoboda-Barber

I am a firm believer in Freedom of Speech, but I am also a believer in responsible journalism. I leave myself open to read the viewpoints of others who I typically would not agree with. In the past six months since we moved to the area I have received your publication and read your opinion/editorial page regularly. I have found through my own observation that the number of columns and letters you publish do not favor left or right, liberal or conservative, you tend to publish equally left or right columns and letters.
I unfortunately feel that I have to draw the line when you choose to publish a column that reflects irresponsible journalism. Any column that promotes fear of a segment of our population based solely on religious background is irresponsible. I believe the Cal Thomas column published in the Thursday January 20, 2005 edition of your paper does just that. He takes a plot in a fictional TV program and items pulled out of context from a book by a terrorist expert to weave a column of fear toward an entire religious group. Columns like this one are the kinds of things that fan the flames of hate and fear in our nation.
Cal Thomas’ column is the type of column that drives people to plot violence against Islamic people, such as the case when Robert Goldstein plotted to bomb a mosque/Islamic education center in Florida. His writing sensationalizes his argument, he does not provide distinction, or define any difference between Islamic people, who live in our country peacefully, and radical terrorists.
Cal Thomas may have a valid point in his concern for homeland security, but his writing does nothing to help further the discussion of the topic. How productive can generating fear and hate be, unless your goal is to drive violent crime rates up? On a side note, you are more likely to suffer from a violent crime then be a victim of a terrorist attack.

I am herby canceling my subscription to your paper.

Sincerely,

-Shawn Svoboda-Barber


My wife and I were not planning renewing our paper anyway. I felt the need to respond to a column that did nothing to further the discussion of homeland security or terrorism. It merely laid the notion that islamic people in our country are here to raise money for terrorists and attack us from the inside, and something needs to be done because the government isn't doing anything about it. The only suggestions he has is to read the book (wish I would have kept the title and author of the boo) and watch the show 24 on Fox.
I enjoy 24, but I realize that it is fiction.