Brass knuckles.Robert Schlesinger ("Spars and Stripes," May) frets that Stars & Stripes readers may not get "unvarnished" news. Regular reading of the newspaper would take away that fear. It is published without censorship censorship, official prohibition or restriction of any type of expression believed to threaten the political, social, or moral order. It may be imposed by governmental authority, local or national, by a religious body, or occasionally by a powerful private group. or influence--and with an effort at balance throughout, something missing in Schlesinger's article. He quotes none of the several editors who did not believe the series "Ground Truth" was "watered down," and rally he passing states that the independent ombudsman's review had strong praise for the work. In quoting from an internal memo of mine aligning balance in reporting with continued independence, he neglects to tell readers that the idea is not mine, or the Department of Defense's, but that of the U.S. Congress when, in 1991, it affirmed af·firm v. af·firmed, af·firm·ing, af·firms v.tr. 1. To declare positively or firmly; maintain to be true. 2. To support or uphold the validity of; confirm. v.intr. First Amendment protections for Stars & Stripes. Nor does the author tell readers that "Ground Truth" was recently cited in the Scripps Howard annual journalism competition for "Service to the First Amendment" And he makes no mention of the American Legion's annual competition, open to all media, large and small, which awarded "Ground Truth" a citation for "Excellence in Journalism." The judges of these prestigious competitions evidently saw the series as a courageous project, and not one that had been "watered down." David Mazzarella Editorial Director, Stars & Stripes Washington, DC Schlesinger responds: Congratulations to Stars & Stripes for winning awards for the Ground Truth series. One wonders how rough more notice it would have accrued ac·crue v. ac·crued, ac·cru·ing, ac·crues v.intr. 1. To come to one as a gain, addition, or increment: interest accruing in my savings account. 2. if it had run unvarnished. While reporters routinely bridle under editorial control and grouse grouse, common name for a game bird of the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere. There are about 18 species. Grouse are henlike terrestrial birds, protectively plumaged in shades of red, brown, and gray. about cuts and changes, when a reporting team cries foul with such unanimity UNANIMITY. The agreement of all the persons concerned in a thing in design and opinion. 2. Generally a simple majority (q.v.) of any number of persons is sufficient to do such acts as the whole number can do; for example, a majority of the legislature can pass it is indicative of more than routine interference and something beyond an effort to be fair and balanced "Fair and Balanced" is a trademarked slogan used by American news broadcaster Fox News Channel. The slogan was originally used in conjunction with the phrase "Real Journalism. . |
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