I have heard a number of comments made about this newspaper and yours truly the past several weeks that are unwarranted or straight out inaccurate.
I have personally been accused of not doing enough with regard to reporting or for not offering an opinion of my own about the recent shooting that tragically took place in our county involving Marine James Dixon, the Appling County Sheriff’s Department and the Georgia State Patrol SWAT Team. From my vantage point, this has been one of the most divisive issues I’ve ever witnessed in our community.
Catch-22
On the other hand, there have been numerous opinions written in this newspaper, including some by writers on this page, and now, The News-Banner is taking criticism from an entirely different group for publishing these opinions.
To this group of people, let me explain a few factors. I do not tell “guest” columnists, not employees, what they should (or should not, for that matter) write about. Columnists write “opinions” about topics that they believe are of interest, for entertainment value or a topic that they have strong convictions about. Does this mean that this newspaper and I always agrees with the opinions on this page? No. I believe most of the columnists and even some letter writers would tell you that I have expressed my concern when there have been opinions I disagreed with. But the fact of the matter is it is their opinion or letter and they have every right under the United States Constitution to express that opinion as long as they follow the longstanding general rules established by The News-Banner for publication.
As for the crowd that believes that I have personally not done enough, let me say that I was not at the scene and did not witness the events of that tragic day unfold. I believe that I have made this statement in the past and will continue to hold to a standard that this newspaper will not publish news content (note the difference between news and opinion) based on “hear say” or “idol gossip,” but rather on “factual information.” Furthermore, even when I write an opinion piece, I have factual information to back up my opinion.
Currently this incident is under investigation, and according to Georgia law, information related to this case is sealed until the investigation is complete. When the investigation is complete and the information becomes available, it will be published.
-Jamie Gardner
To this group of people, let me explain a few factors. I do not tell “guest” columnists, not employees, what they should (or should not, for that matter) write about. Columnists write “opinions” about topics that they believe are of interest, for entertainment value or a topic that they have strong convictions about. Does this mean that this newspaper and I always agrees with the opinions on this page? No. I believe most of the columnists and even some letter writers would tell you that I have expressed my concern when there have been opinions I disagreed with. But the fact of the matter is it is their opinion or letter and they have every right under the United States Constitution to express that opinion as long as they follow the longstanding general rules established by The News-Banner for publication.
As for the crowd that believes that I have personally not done enough, let me say that I was not at the scene and did not witness the events of that tragic day unfold. I believe that I have made this statement in the past and will continue to hold to a standard that this newspaper will not publish news content (note the difference between news and opinion) based on “hear say” or “idol gossip,” but rather on “factual information.” Furthermore, even when I write an opinion piece, I have factual information to back up my opinion.
Currently this incident is under investigation, and according to Georgia law, information related to this case is sealed until the investigation is complete. When the investigation is complete and the information becomes available, it will be published.
-Jamie Gardner
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