Michael G. Walsh

Journalism

2007-08-30T12:11:00.003-07:00

To The Editor

The Muskegon Chronicle

MSNBC.com “outed” Chronicle reporter Terry Judd for donating to a national political candidate. Now, Judd is the focus of an inquiry whether local reporters can support politicians and political platforms. Although I and local readers are with you, Terry – whatever your political stripe - the law’s against you.

Having worked for more than a decade with Mr. Judd, I don’t know his political leanings. The US Supreme Court, however, is pretty clear that his employer can enforce a no-endorsement zone when it comes to his politics. What his spouse might think is another matter.

News employers want their reporters to appear unbiased. Readers and viewers expect reporters to be unbiased in their political coverage. The US Supreme Court agreed. “Just as the newspaper's editors have the discretion to ensure that the news they print is--and is perceived to be--objective, balanced, and fair, so too do they have the right to ensure that the reporter whose byline is printed is--and is perceived to be--objective, balanced, and fair.” Nelson v McClatchey Newspapers, 1997.

But is that possible? If so, would we want such an individual working as a news professional?

Reporters I’ve known throughout the US are professionals who acknowledge their employers’ need for impartiality and voluntarily give up what others in our society can do – publicly support political candidates and public causes. But is that beneficial to the media, to their employees, or to society at large?

Myth 1: Reporters are bias-free drones. In fact, there really is no capability of any intelligent human to remain totally bias-free once they begin processing the information they uncover. “Impartiality” is a myth.

Myth 2: Synthesis and emotion by reporters lead to conclusions and therefore are bad. In fact, what distinguishes the best reporters is their intellect and humanity with its emotion. Their ability to synthesize information as well as to feel the pain, joy, or beliefs, of the those whose stories they’re telling helps them convey that information or that emotion to the rest of us.

Does it really offend us if a reporter telling about African famine contributes to a charitable organization to assist or to a national candidate that reporter believes might make a difference? Is it really an ethical problem for a reporter in combat or other extreme situation to drop her camera and help a soldier or other victim? In Vietnam, it was not unusual for a photographer to drop his camera and pick up an M-16 to defend himself and the American soldiers he was covering. Is that wrong?

Myth 3: Reporters surrender their – and their spouses’ – First Amendment and other Constitutional rights to join the Fourth Estate. Since when do journalists become legal eunuchs in exchange for a paycheck? Since when must their spouses give up the right to publicly support candidates or causes because their reporter-spouse works for a news agency?

In my decades in journalism, I’ve known hundreds of professional newspaper and broadcast reporters. Most are thoughtful people who take politics seriously and wield their votes accordingly. I’ve never known any reporter – self-avowed Republicans, Democrats, etc. – whose work was tainted by his or her personal feelings. If the facts are presented in a fair and accurate manner, there is no problem.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution is the only license an American journalist needs. Reporters and their families have the right to express themselves in their private lives, although the reporter still must adhere to their employer’s rules while at work. But can an employer demand a reporter not place a candidate sign in his or her front lawn? What about the rights of the reporter’s spouse to advertise support of a candidate?

Some newsrooms also demand their reporters to contribute minimal amounts of newspaper money to certain local candidates – about the amount of a fund-raising dinner – in order to remain on the candidate’s mail roster. Other news organizations demand financial reporters to purchase certain stocks in order to obtain timely reports from the company. Does this make the reporter a “shill” of that politician or company?

Anyone with a pen and paper can be a “journalist” by Constitutional standards, and there is no other litmus test for journalism. Times are changing, and media employers must recognize a reporter’s right to self-expression on his own time.

Pure Michigan

2007-08-30T12:11:00.001-07:00

“Pure Michigan” with Tim Allen is a great campaign. But don’t waste money aiming it at us. Take it to Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and throughout the Midwest. Let them know of Pure Michigan and they will come.

Mike Walsh For President

2007-08-30T12:10:00.001-07:00

Mr. David Kolb, Editorial Editor

The Muskegon Chronicle

980 Third Street

Muskegon, MI 49440

VIA Email: dkolb@muskegonchronicle.com

Dear David:

Mike Walsh For President.

Hillary, Barak, John, and other Democrats – move over. I’m thinking of becoming President. If I do, I’ll need a vice president and a campaign platform, so here are selected elements of the platform. Drop off a resume if you want to be considered for VP:

Foreign Aid – We will immediately stop all foreign aid for a four-year period. We’ll spend all those trillions of dollars here at home on aging infrastructure: bridges, roads, water-sewer systems, electrical grids, railroads, national parks, military equipment, and so on. For my second four-year term I’ll reconsider aid, but only if it helps US and our friends. US taxpayers will no longer underwrite the rest of the world unless there’s a benefit to America.
Foreign Affairs – Let’s get real: Iraq is a tragic and expensive diversion from the real threat, Iran. We’ll give the Iraqis notice that we’re turning over control of their country to them. We’ll keep a few modest bases in the region, just in case. We’ll reward friends (see #1) and swarm against enemies. To all others we’ll promise this: Respect as long as they respect US. And as for Cuba, Hola Amigo: Immediate recognition and international trade. Capitalism will conquer.
Terrorism. Any attack on any US territory, property, or citizen will be met with swift and deadly retribution against the hosting country. Terrorists often do not act alone, but depend – at least in part – on a funding nation. Individual terrorists have families. We’ll find them. Hurt US and face our wrath.
Domestic Policy – There’s a lot to be done here at home.

National Service for every able-bodied man and woman for a one-to-five-year year period beginning after high school and before his or her 21^st birthday. Participants may opt for military service or other areas of need: City repair crews, hospital attendants, medical research aides, farmer-helpers, surveyor-assistants, teacher aides, conservation crews, inner-city social workers – where help is needed, we’ll be there. Participants may earn college credit and retirement benefits. Slackers may go hungry.
Homeland Security. Bushites: We are not Nazis. We will no longer refer to the “homeland.” Instead, we’ll call our nation “America” and ourselves as “Americans.” We will secure our borders and redefine our immigration policy to stop the nonsense. We will fund one-way tickets home to thousands of illegals and prison terms to second-timers. We’ll also reduce government and jettison the Homeland Security Department, returning its duties to Defense and other agencies.
Health Insurance. Every developed country boasts health insurance for its citizens. Ours will be the best in the world. Physicians and hospitals will be paid their true worth, but they may opt out. By doing so, though, they’ll also opt out of any government funding and invite social ostracism. We’re all in this together, folks.
Abortion Debate. Debate’s over: Government gets out of the bedroom and the doctor’s office and leaves the discussion to the parents, the doctor, the pastor, and God. The End.
Welfare Reform. We will take care of those who cannot help themselves. Able-bodied people must support themselves and their families. Those who won’t will find some very unpleasant consequences.
Economic Policy. Recognizing a world economy, we end NAFTA, CAFTA, and shore up AMERICAN companies for American families. Great benefits for US companies that keep jobs in the US. Penalties for outsourcing jobs. Order of benefit: Middle Class, Underclass, and The Rich. Those who won’t work won’t benefit.
Income Tax. It’s 10 percent on all earned income with benefits to US corporations creating and retaining jobs within the US.
Energy Policy. A carburetor in the 1930s boasted 200 miles per gallon. Batteries now can efficiently power most local car trips. A century ago, Nicola Tesla showed the way for “broadcasting” power through the ionosphere. We can make great progress almost immediately if special interests were nudged aside.
Good Morning, America. It’s a New Century and time for some tough new thinking. To make this the best century yet, we need a president like Harry Truman – informed, tough, uncompromising. I’m available.

I won’t be announcing my candidacy just yet. I want to avoid the high cost of pre-campaign campaigning. But after the primaries, I’ll be here unless something better comes up.

Michael G. Walsh

8 West Walton Avenue

Muskegon, MI 49440

Footbaths

2007-08-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

To the Editor:

Fact: Church-State Separation is embroidered into our Constitution. The University of Michigan, after 190 years, now pays for Muslim footbaths. Why?

Opinion: Halt politically correct nonsense. Keep every religion where it belongs – with the believer, not the students or the taxpayers.