PEAK TO PEAK — Nearly two years ago, we posted a Peak Perspectives in response to some reader concern that we do not always ask for additional or dissenting comments from other interested parties when we publish a news article. Our response then:
“In our news coverage, we deal as objectively as possible with the day-to-day issues that inspire and infuriate locals. We cover each government meeting and present the contents of each meeting in the appropriate news story. But, of course that’s not enough. Especially when one of the issues we are covering is fairly contentious.”
This, of course, occurs fairly frequently. Given any topic of considerable interest to the community, it is more than likely that a public meeting dealing with that topic will fail to cover all perspectives — which then leads another meeting covering more perspectives, and often additional meetings with even more….
It seems that the time has come to address this issue again. As stated above, “We cover each government meeting and present the contents of each meeting in the appropriate news story.”
But what happens when the meeting—and hence the newspaper’s article—does not present all points of view on the issue?
Recently this concern was once again raised. One unhappy reader wrote, in brief: “[S]trong journalism includes not only reporting what occurs in public meetings, but also seeking additional context and ensuring that those referenced have an opportunity to respond.”
We disagree.
It is our job to report on each meeting and exactly what is addressed there.
Not to offer our own opinions on the issues.
Not to seek out possible dissenters.
Not to call for “a fresh look” at an issue.
However, we do encourage our readers to present their dissenting points of view in a letter to the editor. We set aside two pages in each issue of The Mountain-Ear for such letters. Our expectations for letters are printed in every edition.
The annoyed reader quoted above has been invited to present a disparate perspective on the issue in a letter. We have yet to receive one.
This is important: We welcome all opinions. We attempt to present all opinions: In the proper place and format. Send us your letters. Barring anything libelous, we’ll almost certainly print them.
As we wrote in 2024, “Our news stories portray the actual actions of people and organizations in our area. Our letters indicate the opinions of some of the residents of the area. We try to keep them discreet. We try to keep them fair.”
After all, we are your local newspaper.
