[Vision2020] Journalistic integrity

[Saundra Lund]

Mr. Burton wrote:
"Further, the "journalistic integrity" slug to this thread is a red
herring. The New York Times incident was about integrity and ethics,
this seems more like quibbling."

I couldn't agree more.


Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Greg Burton
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 11:06 AM
To: Douglas; vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Journalistic integrity


  I have been reading this thread, albeit probably only the bottom half,
with some bemusement. So, I pulled up the Spokesman web copy of the
article by daily news scribe Alexis Bacharach. The web version may
differ from the print version, or even the version that ran in the DNews
because different editors often make changes later, even from versions
shipped whole over the AP news wire. 

  That being said, the web version today says "the Christ
Church-sponsored conference in February during which the authors will
discuss history and slavery." That's not the exact quote Doug W. writes
below. And it makes a clear distinction. The Spokesman web version of
the DNews story also conveys the idea that Sanchez believes Wilson and
Wilkins "seek to provide a biblical defense of slavery" in their book,
not that they will do so at the "History Conference." Another important
distinction.
  My question is will Wilson and Wilkins discuss slavery or will they
not?
  If so, the article is accurate in my mind. Many times, too, a
journalist will get a tip about something, examine the veracity and go
with the information if they can confirm it elsewhere. Maybe that
happened in this instance. If not, there should be a simple correction
or clarification.
  Further, the "journalistic integrity" slug to this thread is a red
herring. The New York Times incident was about integrity and ethics,
this seems more like quibbling.

cheers, greg burton

on 10/28/03 10:18 AM, Douglas at dougwils@moscow.com wrote:

> Visionaries,
> 
> The more I meditate on this farrago of nonsense, the more curiouser I 
> get. If I understood Bill London's argument correctly, he is saying 
> that the Daily News did not err in saying that our conference is on 
> slavery because I co-wrote a booklet with Steve Wilkins on slavery 
> about seven years ago. This means that the conference is also on 
> baptism, the sacraments, and the visible/invisible church distinction 
> because I did a conference together with Wilkins in 2002 on those very

> topics. We two must talk about the same thing every time we appear 
> together, musn't we? No, wait, ACTUALLY the conference is about 
> biblical hospitality because Steve wrote a book on that topic that was

> published by Canon Press, and Canon Press has ties to Christ Church, 
> which I pastor. By this means, the conference is allowed to be about 
> anything except what the conference brochure says that it is about.
> 
> Look, this is not difficult. It is not something that should be 
> allowed to be politicized. Let me quote. The article as it ran in the 
> Statesman said that Sanchez decided to research "the Christ 
> Church-sponsored conference in February that features the authors 
> discussing history and slavery." This is what they call (at real 
> newspapers anyway) a MISTAKE. It is, he explained further, an ERROR. 
> Not wanting to put to fine a point on it, he nevertheless continued to

> insist that it is ALL GUMMED UP. This is not, as the Daily News 
> muttered into its handkerchief, "incomplete." It is WRONG. A strange 
> concept, I know.
> 
> The Daily News really needs to start an Accuracy Be Damned column, so 
> that they can reiterate their commitments to earlier mistakes.
> 
> Cordially,
> 
> Douglas Wilson