Editor:
We read with interest the article written by Richard Shaw on Feb. 10 in the Sun Advocate with concern over what he deems is important or not important in reporting the news.
When is news considered important and when is it considered not important? As far as people turning to up-state news reporting, why shouldn’t they? Maybe that’s the only place they can be heard.
We’re all familiar with the basics of good reporting. Is not some of the local news as important to us, as what is happening in Salt Lake? If there are things happening around us shouldn’t we be able to get that information in our local paper and news casts?
Whether they agree or disagree with the subject matter, doesn’t a good reporter present the case so ordinary citizens can read it or hear it and then make up their own minds pro or con?
Case in point. We have followed the plight of the Co-op miners with much interest. We were at the solidarity rally on Feb. 7 in Huntington sponsored by UMWA and others. We didn’t see any local news reporters there. Is this considered important news or not important news?
People fighting for their survival. People asking for their rights. Important or not important?
It was important enough for people from California, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah to be there. Our local news wasn’t there, but it was important enough to be on state news.
Maybe the question is: Important to who? Important enough for UMWA leadership to be there. Important enough for longshoremen and women to be there from California. Important enough for an 82 year old grandma from East Carbon to be there.
If news may impact your business or your way of life in the future is it important or not?
After all the Co-op miners are only asking for equality and justice! Is it because it was in Emery County that it isn’t news or important? Have you heard that the miners are now getting world wide attention? Important or not?
All I can say is it was important to us. And I’d like to add that it was a great rally. As retired miners and their families, we understand why it is so important for the Co-op miners to continue their fight. It’s important to them. And it’s important to us. It should be very important to people who work for a living. The eyes of every mine, business, other miners, employers and employees are on this struggle.
I have to agree with Mr. Shaw. It seems like many news agencies tend to blow things out of proportion. And we do look to our local paper to report the news around us. No I don’t want the gory details of a terrible wreck or the details of someone’s misfortune. But I would certainly like to see more articles published that may concern us now and in the future.
No, we cannot solve the world’s problems. But we can help and support our fellow man. Regardless of race, religion or politics.
As Jack Webb of the old Dragnet series, used to say. “Only the facts ma’am” Everything that happens is important to someone. Don’t wait for someone to have to go up state to be heard.
Report the news, the facts and we’ll decide if we’re pro or con.
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