McClatchy N&O editor dismisses readers' questions, criticisms. I respond

Today at McClatchy's The Editor's Blog, Raleigh N & O exec news editor Melanie Sill finally said something in response to reader criticisms and questions that have been piling up for weeks.

As is her customary practice, Sill picked from a large group of questions and comments, a few which contained either factual errors or unsupportable assertions. To them she responded.

She also dismissed all of the fact-based questions and reasoned criticisms as "fan mail."

That prompted me to send her the following comment. Tomorrow I'll add hyperlinks.

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05/15/06 at 15:56
Dear Melanie,

Almost all reader comments made here at The Editor’s Blog the past several weeks have been sharply critical of The N&O’s biased and inflammatory coverage of the Duke lacrosse case.

You dismiss those comments as “fan mail” and refuse to answer fair, fact-based questions such as:

Why, after telling readers it wouldn’t publish any of the Danish cartoons because of “sensitivity," did The N&O publish the "vigilante poster" with face-photos of 40 Duke lacrosse players and "WANTED" stamped on it?

Is there anyone at The N&O who didn't know publishing the poster would stir passions and make it more likely that unstable individuals and hate groups would target the lacrosse players?

How do you justify publishing the "vigilante poster" and not publishing the Danish cartoons?

Why, in a 2000 word, front page Apr. 9 story concerning Duke's reputation, did you quote only Duke students or alums highly critical of the university?

You reported Duke Provost Peter Lange had written a letter responding to Professor Houston Baker’s “outspoken” letter.

In truth, Lange told Baker that his letter was a “form of prejudice.”

Why didn’t The N&O report what Lange had actually called Baker’s letter, instead of editorializing with “outspoken?”

On Apr. 5, a particularly tense day, North Carolina Central University Chancellor James Ammons released a public statement calling on the community to remain calm and let justice take its course. The Durham Herald Sun published Ammons’ statement in full.

The N&O didn’t report word one about Ammons’ statement. Why not?

You later told readers The N&O had “quoted Ammons.” Why did you say that?

Many people asking you questions believe The N&O’s reporting has helped make a terrible situation even worse, including more dangerous.

You should answer their questions.

What is the point of The McClatchy Company sponsoring your blog if you’re not going to answer direct, fact-based reader questions?

Sincerely,

John
www.johnincarolina.com