We depend heavily on the news media for information about a

variety of issues and what is going on in our country and the world. With so

much that impacts our daily lives, accurate and honest information is key for

us to make intelligent decisions about many aspects of our lives. There is

so much going on, we do not have the time or resources to find out about

all the critical information we need. Thus, we depend on newspapers, radio

and television to keep us up to date. Two recent events reported in the

Seattle news media of late reflect a concern I have had for many years.

Take the “I love you” computer virus in the news the last few days.

A day after it occurred, it is reported that a possible suspect is being looked

at in the Philippines, a 23-year-old male. The next day it is changed to a 15

year old traced to a local computer lab. The next day, back to a 23-year-old

male, and then the latest, a 23-year-old female.

Is the problem just very poor sources, or is it desire on the part

of the media to get the first story out, to “ace” the other networks,

regardless of verification? In many cases, to “scoop” the other stations or

networks can have serious consequences if the information is not accurate.

I can recall a few years ago going to a restaurant, where three

different newspapers were on sale in front of the business. There had been a

ship disaster three days earlier, and each had a headline regarding it. The

loss of life had been in the teens, and yet side by side were three different

numbers listed as to the loss of life.

Over the last week, the local television reported that a book had

been banned from the schools in Kitsap County due to explicit sexual

remarks and descriptions within the volume. The next day, I listen to a radio

talk show where it is reported and confirmed by persons from that

school district that it was not banned from the schools, was still in the library

system of the schools, but had been removed from the suggested reading list for

students. A totally different set of circumstances, folks. The term “banned”

certainly gets more attention, but it was not accurate, and did not report

the news in an accurate and honest manner.

In many countries around the world, the government censors

the press, and everybody knows it. Thus, they read and see the news, and

find other ways of getting the real facts. It is far more dangerous when the

press itself slants a story to fit the editor’s own attitudes about an issue, using

a banner headline that does not portray the actual story written just below

the title of the article.

Perhaps the reporter has his or her own views on an issue, and thus

the story is written in favor of that “interpretation” of the news. Many

factors can enter into the final result of an article, or a spot on the radio or

television news. Again, in order to get the real story, one must be able to

read between the lines. That is why I have always indicated in my column that

if I had my own views on a story, I have told you so. Just some food

for thought.

PPP

Thought for the week: Juvenile crime is up 100 percent in Tin

town reads the report. It then indicates that 250 juvenile offenses have

occurred in the last six months. Thus, many get the idea that more kids are

involved in crime. Not so.

A lax court system and a lack of space at the local juvenile

facility keeps returning repeat offenders to the streets. The number of kids has

not changed; repeated offenders have raised the number of juvenile

crimes. Enough said. (I ran across this very situation a few years ago in

another small town, thus the story is based on fact.)

Preston News Notes author,

Bill Hebert, can be reached at

P.O. Box 918, Preston, WA 98050.