Bad News and No News
(July 7, 2011) As we celebrate Independence Day it is important to remember that we wouldn’t be independent were it not for an unfettered press. Troublemaking writers such as Samuel Adams, Thomas Paine and John Dickinson rallied reluctant colonial citizens to fight a government they believed oppressive.
But should we impose our ideas of a free press on people whose ancestors were here long before the pilgrims ever stepped foot on Plymouth Rock?
Last week Hoopa Valley Tribal Chairman Leonard Masten Jr. announced he had shut down the Two Rivers Tribune, the only Native American-owned newspaper in California and one that has earned a reputation for gutsy reporting in the eastern part of this county.
He cited two reasons: The expense of some $189,000 in Bureau of Indian Affairs funds and recent articles the paper published that angered many people in the small community.
What set this off was a series of stories the Tribune ran on a manhunt for Jason Hunsucker, one of four people suspected in the May 5 killing of Darrell Hanger as a result of a botched burglary attempt.
On June 28, the Tribune published a story that told Hunsucker’s side; he had contacted Tribune freelance reporter Shelly Middleton. In the story he admits to driving his sister and her boyfriend in a stolen car to burglarize a house they had previously burglarized. The same day, the paper ran an editorial urging Hunsucker to turn himself in to police.
The publication of the story outraged many people. In online comments, some argued that reporters shouldn’t interview criminals and shouldn’t publish articles that could paint them in a sympathetic light.
But those people misunderstand the role of the journalist. We call the press in this country the Fourth Estate. That’s because we see it as a check on the three branches of government. It is the role of the press to serve as a check on police actions. Because of that, journalists should remain neutral observers when covering crime. Reporters serve the larger public, and that public includes lawbreakers. Even convicted felons don’t lose First Amendment rights. Neither do those who have yet to be convicted of a crime. Journalists must be careful not to play judge and jury.
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44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
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STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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ONE Comments
Comment / By owkrender / July 7, 2:04 p.m.
…”unfettered press”? Sounds like the tribe, who owned the paper, decided to shut THEIR paper down. Not unlike Rupert Murdoch.