There are times that require that you take the pin out of the grenade.
This is one of those times.
I never set out to be an enemy of Mr. Sam Watkins, Jr., but it seems to have happened anyway. The first firefight came when I was a member of the Henderson City Council and he asked me why I needed to see some of the documentation on the Embassy project.
Things went downhill from there.
It became clear that Mr. Watkins and I have a fundamental difference in our approach to the business of government. I think it belongs in the hands of the people. It seems pretty clear where Mr. Watkins’ sentiments on the issue lie.
Mr. Watkins wrote an opinion that was published in The Daily Dispatch on May 4, 2010. He inquires as to why a newspaper should not hold citizen bloggers to the same requirements that they apply to their “Letters to the Editor” – that they not post anonymously. I say it is the right of a newspaper to set any rules for publication they desire. They own the paper, so they make the rules.
And the same goes for web logs (blogs). And if I am not mistaken, The Daily Dispatch allows bloggers to post anonymously to their articles. Keeping bloggers posting keeps information of all kinds in the hands of the public where it belongs.
Blogging is powerful. And that, I believe, is the problem.
Let’s help to clear up some confusion between print media (the newspaper) and digital media (the blog):
First, a blog is not a substitute for professional journalism. I believe we have a democracy because of the print media, and I believe our democracy is threatened when the print media is threatened. Just like print media, a blog can be run very professionally with rules and regulations and safeguards for journalistic standards. HiH is just such a blog. But there is a difference.
Print media is run by professional journalists who are paid, while digital media is often run by amateur citizens. In print media, you will find opinions only on the editorial page. While print media usually gives the source of its information, on a blog the writer can ask questions and seek advice from readers — in essence, it is interactive in near-real time. While you will not find many spelling or grammatical errors in professional print media, digital media trades the editing process for the spontaneity of instant public reaction.
As far as protecting our rights as citizens of the United States, the First Amendment applies to both print media and digital media. The United States Communications Decency Act applies to both as well.
But none of this gets to Mr. Watkins’ beef with The Daily Dispatch. He argues that the newspaper is not practicing what it preaches. He essentially states that the newspaper advocating the right of anonymous bloggers to stay anonymous while requiring a signature for letters to the editor is a double standard.
Are you confused by his position when he asks “…why don’t you allow it?”
Mr. Watkins is comparing apples and oranges. Letters to the editor and comment posts on a blog are different things. There is no logical reason why they should be held to the same standards.
It also seems to have escaped his attention that the Dispatch has a blog that allows anonymous comment posts as well.
Now, if he had sent his letter to Home in Henderson, I could have asked him to clarify his statements at once and the confusion could have been cleared away.
That’s the beauty of the blog!