How should the news be reported?

Mar 09, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Your newspaper is in my view a major force for democracy, justice, and freedom in Guyana, by educating people and by holding those in power accountable. So, please understand that it is in the spirit of positive criticism, by way of support and encouragement, in the hopes that you will continue that struggle and become even better at it, that I am writing today.
I saw an editorial the other day calling for politicians to respect each other. In the past, I have also seen KN columnists and contributors bemoaning the lack of courtesy and the tendency to focus on personal dressing down (the term used was “fishing up”) instead of on the issues, during political discourse. But do you realize how much KN actually contributes to that culture? I believe you are not aware of it, but in fact, your newspaper, every single day, stirs up negative feelings by use of irresponsible, often incendiary or combative language and framing of issues.
A few examples to illustrate: First, why do you keep telling us about the “daring, brazen daylight robberies” and how many “millions of dollars in cash and jewelry were carted off”? It sounds so exciting and sexy the way you talk about bandits and how bold and brave they are! I know you don’t mean to do it, but you are encouraging a culture of crime. A newspaper has the duty to be offended (on our behalf) by crime and to recognize that the criminals are wrong. Sympathize if you want. You don’t have to hate the robbers. But don’t romanticize crime this way.
Secondly, why do you have to always talk about politicians slamming and blasting each other? Is this how someone talks about political discourse on issues? No, your language celebrates and perpetuates the same culture of “fishing up” that you complain about every day. I even saw a “flogging” the other day, which turned out to be your metaphor for two politicians disagreeing. Maybe the politicians will be less combative without KN playing a Don King role, hyping up the crowd to scream for more blood.
There are a lot more examples. It’s a whole topic. And it needs to be discussed. Mr. Editor, you have the power to not only report the news, but to frame the news in a way that fosters understanding, compassion, accountability, morality, and the rule of law. I recommend that you retain the services of a consultant who can help train your journalists and editors in how to achieve this.
You can’t just say stuff without thinking about its impact on society. You can’t just have a newspaper without recognizing your responsibility to frame the news in a positive and progressive way. It is, in my opinion, part of your duty, as a news organization (and I believe it would be very much in line with the integrity and character that KN has shown so far) to lead Guyana in introducing a new tradition of deliberate, purposeful, and positive reporting of the news. You can play a big part in changing how people see themselves and their world.
David Jonas

Editor’s note: Your complaint and observation have been thorny issues in journalism a long time now. Journalism is caught between the right to inform and the right to be responsible. It is not an easy journey because as the saying goes, “different strokes for different folks.” People may want to know about the horrible levels of crime because they need to be aware of what is taking place in their country. Others (and you may fall into this category) feel that too much reporting on terrible crimes and gruesome murders is not good for the psychology of a nation. Where do we draw the line? Should a newspaper not report on murders if they are occurring on a daily basis? Isn’t the public entitled to know? On the point on the use of adjectives, we see nothing inelegant in the use of the word “daring” to describe a robbery in view of dozens of citizens in broad daylight a block away from a police station. Finally, can humans ever decide on a uniform way of framing the news? We do try our best.

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