OPINION: We don’t play favorites in crime coverage

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OPINION: We don’t play favorites in crime coverage

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Staff Writer

in Editorial Archives

Friday, January 7. 2011

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THERE are a lot of things that happen in life that stir intense emotions. Such was the reaction last week to a shooting that left a local fireman and his daughter injured following a domestic dispute.

The Journal’s website received a lot of comments within hours of the shooting. Some of the comments were reasonable, some were inane. That’s the way it is when people make comments on stories.

But what was really shocking in some of the comments was a thread of thought that appeared to suggest that this newspaper shouldn’t have reported on the shooting.

This isn’t the first time we’ve run into such sentiment. There is a belief by some people that they and their friends are somehow exempt from news coverage.

Let’s be honest here: The people involved in that shooting are well-known and respected in the community. If this shooting had taken place in the “projects,” few people would be leaping to their defense.

This newspaper doesn’t cover news, however, with such a double-standard. It doesn’t matter to us the social standing of those involved in incidents; we try to treat everyone the same way. We don’t play favorites.

That’s difficult for some people to understand. In some minds, a shooting is just a “tragedy” if it involved their friends. We are warned “not to judge” and that the circumstances make this event unique.

But every shooting is a “tragedy.” Every shooting is unique. Just because someone is well known in a community does not cloak the incident in invisibility.

The Journal’s reporting on this shooting was no different than our reporting on other similar incidents that have happened here. We don’t respond to emotions, but rather to the information provided by law enforcement.

And we don’t play favorites in crime reporting.

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#1 Anonymous on 01/07/11 at 01:25 PM [Reply]

Nothing like outsiders like The Barrow Journal sticking their nose where it doesn't belong.

#1.1 There are more and more ..... on 01/07/11 at 01:37 PM [Reply]

of us "outsiders" and fewer and fewer backwooded rednecks. Get use to it, we are here to stay. We appreciate the BJ reporting ALL the news without regard as to Barrow Counties who's who list.

#2 Amy on 01/07/11 at 02:58 PM [Reply]

Thank you, Barrow Journal, for rising above the typical Barrow County, "good ol' boy" mentality. Those that are so quick to defend Mr. Orr, or to persecute him for that matter, should look back throughout this paper's history. The Barrow Journal has been pretty fair in their coverage of THE FACTS. Plain and simple - THE FACTS. I simply do not understand all of the uproar about the paper publishing this story. It happened - they reported it.
What else do you expect from your local paper?

#2.1 Concerned on 01/07/11 at 06:17 PM [Reply]

Who's facts are they reporting? They turn the facts around. Whatever happen to investigating a story before publishing it? They write garbage,what sounds good to them. Not the truth.

#2.1.1 Mike Buffington on 01/07/11 at 07:04 PM [Reply]

OK, I'm listening. Give me one specific story in which this newspaper has "turned facts around" or reported "not the truth."
Mike Buffington
Co-Publisher

#2.1.1.1 Chuck Tatum on 01/07/11 at 10:12 PM [Reply]

I could give you one, buddy boy. I know because it involved me. Relying on an incident report obviously gives ONE side. So, is what you "reported" accurate? No doubt, brother. But, was it the truth? No way. You didn't bother to get my side. So, what you printed was, to be sure, NOT fair & balanced. This is why your loud bleating in the instant case rings hollow with me. You're not immaculate. You're running a business, so don't flaunt your pristine robes at me. I know you probably won't even post this. And, if you do, you'll retort in some smug manner that, you think, will rehabilitate your tattered reputation and cleanse the tarnish. Well, buddy boy, keep polishing.

#2.1.1.1.1 Brian Smith on 01/08/11 at 05:41 AM [Reply]

Maybe they couldn't get your side Mr. Tatum because you were at the jail getting charged. You should have used your one phone call to notify them that you should be able to get away with not cooperating with the law because you think you are above reproach.

#2.1.1.1.1.1 Chuck Tatum on 01/08/11 at 09:58 AM [Reply]

No, I wasn't in jail. Not even close. It wasn't that sort of an issue So, Mr. Smith, you, like the newspaper, are ignorant of the circumstances. However, unlike the newspaper, you chose to spew silly and inaccurate speculation. Not to mention your half-baked gestapo mentality.

#2.1.1.1.1.1.1 Brian Smith on 01/10/11 at 08:40 AM [Reply]

You may not have been locked up in the jail, but you were at the detention center getting charged, I didn't say you were serving time. You obviously need some anger management time. Getting irate over a squirrel does not seem healthy. Chill out so you won't come off seeming like some old crazy man with anger issues

#3 John Jay on 01/07/11 at 03:33 PM [Reply]

I applaud the Barrow Journal for reporting the news, backed up by incident reports, instead of sweeping it under the rug. Unfortunately a lot of people can not or will not accept change in their county and are up in arms. This is because in the past a few families were untouchable, but thankfully that is changing. The more new residents we get, the more we can break the control of a few in this county.

#3.1 FRIEND on 01/17/11 at 09:48 AM [Reply]

John Gay, you just have nothing better to do. Get a job man. You better bring some money in to change what you are looking for. I dont think someone like you, toothless wonder, has what it takes. You are the nobody here, and some will never be touched in this county.

#4 Me, myself, and I on 01/07/11 at 04:46 PM [Reply]

Because of the above article, this is one of the reason why I support this newspaper and its website. Even if the price of the paper (.25) was to increase to match that other local newspaper (.50), I will still continue to support the Barrow Journal. Thank you!!

#5 Barrow resident on 01/07/11 at 05:44 PM [Reply]

You're right. The other paper in town at one time would have swept this under the rug. They can't anymore.

#6 APPLAUD on 01/07/11 at 06:13 PM [Reply]

The Barrow Journal prints the news very fair and accurate. Lots of times the truth hurts, but don't hate the messenger.

#7 Jack Legg on 01/07/11 at 08:11 PM [Reply]

I think,as I've said before that this paper produces some interesting articles that hold the feet of our elected "officials" to the fire.Unfortunately though, they sensationalize nearly everything they write, and go way over the top.Take this story for instance, Orr is by no stretch a high official , nor does his family run the county in any way.His job is a blue collar public servant, the lead guy in a firehouse and he has always done a damn good job at that. But we get three or four so called lead articles and a bunch of mumbo-jumbo from "bloggers"reported as news.
I say its tabloid journalism. The national enquirer reports celebrity news but in a manner that is way over the top, they report a lot of rumors and speculation being told as fact.Tabloid journalism is fine, a lot of people are entertained by it ,but at least admit to what your doing.Dont try and pass yourself off as a legitimate teller of the news.
Just write the facts without all the slant, we can figure the rest out for ourselves.

#8 Anonymous on 01/07/11 at 10:20 PM [Reply]

If you don't like what the paper writes or how it writes it, you don't have to read it.

#9 Anonymous on 01/07/11 at 10:52 PM [Reply]

Nothing but facts were written in the paper's coverage. The bottom line is many people in Barrow County think some people are beyond approach. This would have been allowed when The Barrow County News was the only paper in town. However, with a newspaper in town now which actually covers news the way a newspaper should, things are no longer covered up Jack Legg. It's too bad you want them to do so.

#10 Mongo on 01/07/11 at 11:45 PM [Reply]

Good show Barrow Journal. It's about time someone shined a little light on the local good ol' boys that are used to having their crimes covered up.

How about a story on cities that are using their water department as a cash cow. Isn't that illegal? Not in Statham I guess.

#11 J_B_Moore on 01/08/11 at 07:31 AM [Reply]

Good job Barrow Journal you report your stories well. You have some liberals on staff but then I guess that makes you more balanced. I hate to hear you people talking about the "Good Ol Boys" you all keep electing them and this county has spun in circles for the last 20 years. You have yourself to blame for not changing things. I grew up in this county and I have hope for this bankrupt piece of land we call Barrow County. If you dont stop running your mouth and act it will never change. The taxes are ridiculous the services with a few exceptions suck but this is home to me. And I dont plan on moving. We must hold our elected officials accountable and praise them when a job is well done. Whatever the Sheriff was going to due in the latest situation in the news was in the dark to all of us "Joe Blows" and look what was done by all of you posting your questions and forced our employee/elected official to give light to the situation and give answers. Thank the Barrow Journal for giving a forum for that to take place. Please respect the Sheriff and trust that he will provide for our needs and do a good job. We still must call a spade a spade and hold all elected officials feet to the fire. We pay them and with what my taxes are pay them well hold them accountable. We must always be respectful be polite but always demand answers.

#12 MA on 01/08/11 at 08:15 AM [Reply]

Hey JB, are you saying papers should ask people they interview for a job whether they are liberal or conservative? Those things have nothing to do with being a news reporter. The Barrow Journal keeps opinions on the opinion page, be they conservative or liberal. Not everyone in Barrow County is a ultra right wing conservative believe it or not. I like the mix of opinions The Barrow Journal has.

#13 LibDem on 01/14/11 at 10:11 AM [Reply]

Charles Tatum, you are a redneck! lololololol!

#13.1 Cauliflower Dick on 01/14/11 at 10:42 AM [Reply]

That's Chuck to you, buddy boy. lololol

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