LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
The Media Has Its Faults , But We Need It More Than Ever
My first journalism professor looked like an editor out of central casting . Herb Jackson was balding , serious and wore his bifocals on a chain around his neck , lifting them up to peer out from behind them when he was making a point . He came from that old school of journalism ( which I miss so much ) that taught “ Just the facts , Ma ’ am ,” an ode to hard-nosed Detective Joe Friday of TV ’ s “ Dragnet ” series .
That message was repeatedly reinforced when I worked as a reporter-editor for The Associated Press in Los Angeles , its second-largest bureau . Veteran editors would carefully scrutinize the copy for grammar , facts and God forbid , any hint of bias or opinion . This was essential as the AP served more than 10,000 newspapers and TV and radio stations worldwide . Any breach of opinion could affect its facts-only reputation .
I brought that discipline with me when I worked at KFBK radio as its news director and senior editor for 20 years , training more than 100 writers and producers who now work in major markets around the U . S .
But things have changed . There was a time not too long ago where you could read the newspaper and watch TV news without yelling back at the report you just read or saw . In the past decade , there ’ s been an earthquake of distrust in the news media . A 2021 Gallup poll revealed that more than three-quarters of Americans have a consistent lack of trust in media .
As a lifelong journalist who has worked on both coasts , it saddens me terribly to see opinion and bias seep into news reporting . It can be blatant , such as quoting sources that only support one side , or subtle , like intentionally using unflattering photos in a story .
I see news integrity eroded on a daily basis . Quotes are cropped to give only a partial meaning and not the full context , or stories being staged , such as a reporter asking someone to walk up and jiggle the door on a business to show it ’ s been closed .
So how did this happen ? There are several factors . One in five newspapers — about 2,000 — have closed in the past 15 years , according to The New York Times . That has led to 26 percent of journalists — more than 30,000 people — losing their jobs , says a report by the Pew Research Center . The domino effect is not just job loss ; typically , veteran reporters with extensive experience are the first to go due to their well-earned higher salaries . They are no longer around to mentor young journalists in what ’ s right and wrong in reporting stories .
The other contributing factor is social media . Twitter and Facebook have made it easy for anyone to share stories written by anyone and claim them as fact even if the writers don ’ t work for a credible news agency . It upsets me when friends and even family share false information .
But even though trust in news has taken a big hit , credible news reporting is needed more than ever , and we are getting it . Currently , the news media is bringing us stark images showing the atrocities of the Russia-Ukraine war or government mismanagement , such as the $ 31 billion Employment Development Department fraud . And journalists have been risking their lives to bring you the news . Ninety-five journalists were killed in the line of duty in 2021 , according to the International Federation of Journalists . At least half a dozen have been killed so far this year in the Russia-Ukraine war .
We are serious about the content we produce here at Comstock ’ s . Insightful writing and strong storytelling have been our bedrock for more than three decades . We bring you stories and news of the Capital Region that affect your businesses and your lives .
I ’ m thrilled and honored to be the new editor of Comstock ’ s . I look forward to continuing the quality journalism that has won us numerous awards . Each story goes through a rigorous editing process , with two editors checking for accuracy , grammar , writing flow and fairness . The story is then passed to the copy editor who does a deep background check on each fact . Winnie Comstock- Carlson , publisher , is our final proofreader , bringing her extensive experience and connection to the community .
I look forward to bringing you the unique brand of local journalism Comstock ’ s is known for . And it ’ s okay to yell at your TV once in a while , knowing that there are committed journalists working to bring you the truth — or just the facts , Ma ’ am .
Judy Farah Editor
June 2022 | comstocksmag . com 13