Blogging is a very new medium. It is so new that there aren't any real guidelines set forth. No, I don't mean censorship. I'm talking about responsibility. When a blogger puts up a post they add words to the collective knowledge. Whether that addition is useful or misleading is solely the responsibility of the individual. At least, that is the case when a site like Blogger or WordPress is involved, but what happens when a newspaper is doing the hosting?
I believe in news papers. It is corny sounding I know, but I believe in the power of the press to transform lives and enrich communities. I read a number of online news papers everyday, but only one actually materializes on my door step. Only one I read cover to cover with my daughter spreading each section around the living room as I finish them. I subscribe to The News-Gazette.
When the paper puts out a story it takes responsibility for it. Corrections are made to the smallest of errors. This does not carry over to the blogs they host. While I can respect the goal of offering a variety of view points from here in Champaign-Urbana. However they are, in at least one case, giving voice to someone that is a true embarrassment to the community.
The News-Gazette web log "Against The Tide" is written by Rhonda Robinson and it is woefully misleading and at times seriously offensive. Post titles include:
Are schools responsible for science and suicide?
Are a few Muslim taxi drivers taking the US on the road to a Muslim state?
Terrifying liberals
Local psychologist battles new McCarthyism
Are large families breeding contempt?
Maine Middle School now teaching Reading, Writing and Contraception
Her opinions are far from my own which isn't a crime and it's why I have kept my mouth shut thus far, but she has crossed the line with her post concerning the NIU tragedy. Please, read this. Does she present this post as an opinion or is it geared to look as though it is a legitimate article? Most of the post is made up from quotes taken from a Dr. Julian Whitaker, someone whose sells vitamins on the internet among other things, and who I imagine would be horrified to see his words connected to the phrase "emotionless killing zombie."
To see our local paper publishing her blog on their site is mind numbingly frustrating. This isn't the first time she's done this. She takes a fact or a quote out of context and spins it into something she can use to push her agenda. That's fine if she is publishing somewhere neutral, but not under the banner of my paper. I don't want people around the world visiting The News-Gazette Online to have this woman for an ambassador. This is an embarrassment to the community and completely unnecessary. This is a large community of diverse viewpoints and home to an excellent university. If the News-Gazette wants someone to stir up a little controversy then let them choose someone who can do so with intelligence and a respect for the truth.
I'm sorry if this is a bit much, but I haven't slept over this.
