“If you don’t like my opinion, tough shit.”
This letter to the editor really hit home. There is only a few journalists I trust at the newspaper to get it right and even then you are walking a tight rope, because even if they get it right, the editor may twist the story to sway public opinion. And I have seen this a lot at the Argus Endorser ever since Mr. Beck took the helm;
I would think before publishing an article on a business, you would contact the business owners to get correct information to produce the true story.
I am the owner of Baltic Corner. I never was contacted for the Dec. 26 article Argus Leader reporter Peter Harriman wrote about the smoking ban, which included false information about my business.
In defense of Mr. Harriman, like I said above, he may not have had editorial control. This story may be a case of letting out the boogie man about the smoking ban. There is no boogie man, it’s a good thing for the state and the increased revenue at bar/restaurants will offset revenue lost in dive bars and VL casinos. We have nothing to worry about, but let’s stir the pot anyway;
It was appalling to receive phone calls Sunday morning about your article falsely representing our establishment and our views.
I also have experience with this. I had a quote once that was the exact opposite of what I had said, even though it was verified on phone and email. Gee, wonder how that happened? Incompetence? Doubtful. The AL needs to realize they cannot constantly change public opinion. If people want snow gates and say they work, report it. If bar owners like the smoking ban, report it. The editorial board and it’s editors need to stop twisting stories that influence public opinion. Seriously. Nobody fucking cares about your opinion. Really we don’t. Report the news, as is.