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The Internet Edition- Vol. 2 Issue 11 |
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The Internet Edition- Vol. 2 Issue 11 |
Veracity, Veracity, Veracity, Let's Set the Record Straight
Boca Banner reported the basic facts fairly and accurately: Despite island opposition Lee County commissioners unanimously amended the existing "lighting district" Municipal Services Tax Unit. This was done to provide a "legal means" to finance control of the iguana population in Boca Grande. (An advisory panel will be formed to determine the methods and budgets needed to address this pest. Applications are now available to any island resident interested in serving, five are needed.) This is a highly contentious issue; and, like every news event, deserves accurate reporting. There are a few inaccuracies that need to be set straight. One Beacon inaccuracy: "Islanders pack hearing room to oppose plan." The truth: In that near capacity crowd of hundreds were around 50 Boca Grande residents. The room remained nearly filled when the iguana session ended and all the Boca Grande residents went home. The Beacon fostered the impression that hundreds of Boca Grande residents went to Ft. Myers to protest the tax. That is not true. |
Another Beacon inaccuracy: "The
action came despite the vocal opposition from the majority of the
crowd who packed the hearing room." The truth: A majority of
the crowd couldn't care less about iguanas. Most of the two dozen
people who actually spoke on the issue were opposed but not a
"majority of the crowd." Probably more people were there
from Pine Island than Gasparilla Island and they were not at all
interested in iguanas.
One more Beacon inaccuracy: In his commentary Gary Dutery states GICIA President Cappy Warner "told the commissioners that the GICIA membership unanimously supported the taxing district." Not true. In her remarks Warner made it clear in a firm voice that she spoke for a unanimous GICIA "board of directors." She did NOT claim the GICIA's membership was unanimous. Again and again the notion that the GICIA membership was "unanimous" on this issue was ridiculed in Gary Dutery's commentary. This distortion treats Cappy Warner unfairly. The Beacon further maintains that the GICIA originated the tax idea. Not true. The idea came from the audience at a GICIA meeting and Commissioners Janes and Moore discussed it openly. The board later went along with it "reluctantly, as the only option," said Warner. |
This MSTU will continue to be a
subject of interest and discussion, even heated argument. The
least the subject deserves is honest reporting. That is why we are
here, to report all the news accurately. My college journalism
advisor, Ed Hasse, was a prolific free-lancer who often warned his
classes that just one "false fact" destroyed credibility
and "news does not include fiction." Four Beacon
"facts" are pure fiction.
My first professional journalism job was with The Wall Street Journal and for years it was part of my job to sign off on Editor Emeritus Vermont Royster's weekly column. Often I did little more than fix typos and verify facts; but, it was made crystal clear to me that facts were important to Royster, who won his second Pulitzer Prize for those columns. No one is perfect: I recently forgot that Mark Futch flew T.R. Potter's airplane, not his own, in scenes for "Hoot." It is not hard to make simple mistakes: an "Ode to the Typo" card is in my wallet. No one is immune. But it is a strict requirement to verify facts and confirm quotes before going off on a nasty rant; or, you come off sounding like "Emily Lattilla" on Saturday Night Live. Emily excused her confused commentary with a smile and "Oh well, never mind." No one should be able to hid behind "Oh well, never mind" when facts, and quotes, are deliberately contorted to legitimize a vendetta. |
| Page 7 The Boca Banner 3/24/2006 |