Well, Folks, we have tried to make sure our articles are factual, current and hyper-local in regards to things going on and local information in this area. About 1/3 of our stories are from individuals who call us, text us, or just give us tips to follow up on. However, if we get something wrong, I want to hear about it so that we can consider correcting the record in our next paper, or talking and explaining to the individual where we were able to get the documented info for our stories.
However, if we are misled, given falsehoods or only half the truths it gets difficult. We try to filter through all the information given to us to find the news and information for our articles. I normally, always, have my reporters call the opposition or other party to a story to give them an opportunity to comment, or refute the claims completely in our story. I’ve learned over the last 12 years running the paper that there are two sides to almost any story AND we want to get a balanced story. However, when others won’t respond and talk to my reporters or just want to claim victimhood and that our stories are false or inaccurate; then our staff doesn’t really have much to go off, except those that are willing to talk to us on or off the record. In addition, I understand we are part of the community and live within our own community. Some of the stories aren’t going to be rosy pink feel good stories but we are trying to talk about the good positive things as well, or at least keep them balanced.
Here’s the skinny. I have had my reporters reach out to the Donnes family for multiple stories over the last eight to ten years. The first story I believe was about the gravel pit in Shepherd near the school that many residents were opposing. I asked my reporter at the time to follow up with the Donnes Family about it and try to talk to them about the story and concerns that were being brought up from residents. They would not talk to my reporter about it so we eventually published the information we had after giving them ample opportunity to respond. We did the best we could about the coverage even after they would not talk to my reporter.
After hearing about the family’s disdain about our news coverage, I had another reporter reach out to them again about two years ago in regards to the new basketball gym they were building in Shepherd off Hwy. 312. We thought it would be a feel-good human-interest community story. We were told it was NOT going to be for the public, and they didn’t want it in the paper. But, yet, we find out that the Shepherd Basketball Team used it for school practices and such.
Fast forward to the last three weeks. We heard that the T-Bone Feeders building and silo was going to be torn down, and we thought it would be a good community story as the building and structures along with the silo are kind of a historic icon in the Shepherd area. But once again, we find out that it’s owned by the Donnes Family. I had my reporter reach out to Janelle Donnes to confirm the tip and see if anything was being torn down and if we could get some information about it to do a cool human-interest story on it but were told by Janelle Donnes that a little clean-up was being done there but nothing is being torn down.
We heard again that they were going to be tearing down some stuff and so I had my reporter follow up with Janelle Donnes again to be told again that nothing is being torn down. About a week later, YCN received a video of the silo of the old T-Bone feeders crashing down to the ground. After seeing that video that was sent to us, I personally called Janelle Donnes and asked her why she told our reporter and that nothing was being done and that nothing was being demolished? Let’s just say that conversation did not go well.
I’ve reached out to Frank Donnes in good faith, multiple times and asked to meet with him. I am hoping to have the chance to do so.
Folks, how does one expect to have a good relationship with others when they won’t follow up and talk to our reporters? I can assure you that our reporters are not here to just throw people under the bus. We want to get the correct information, we also understand that we are part of the community as well. We understand that there is occasional controversy in local things but we also try to wade through the information and get the correct facts. We pride ourselves in producing and publishing good journalism.
I welcome the open lines of communication. Not only does it allow us to have more balanced stories but it also allows everyone the opportunity give feedback whether it be good or bad.
So being Easter time and season of goodwill, here’s my public olive branch offering in good faith to visit with anyone who might have any issues with our county newspaper, either good or bad. AND that includes Frank Donnes. (I might even have some donuts available to sweeten the offer.) I welcome constructive feedback as I want to establish relationships of confidence and trust. Anything else would be unacceptable to me.
Until then,
See you in the paper,
JDM
