Gadfly questions criticism of media

Dear Editor,

As I read Greg Pearson's Chesterfield Observer article on "Questionable news values," which bashes the local media for covering the highly emotional stories first instead of doing a better job at promoting the groundbreaking ceremony for the Northup Grumman arrival, I had to wonder.... What did Channel 12, Mike Garrity or the RTD do to prompt this article? It was quite a harsh article slashing the local media. Has Mr. Pearson begun writing on behalf of the Chesterfield County officials?

The article stated, "Prime TV is loaded with police stories because they appeal to the heavy TV viewers....." Why is the Observer blaming the TV station and Times-Dispatch for continually reporting on crime [and] yet the front page of the Observer [in which this article appeared] features a 'Murder that stuns County'?

The Observer wants to appeal to its readers and since this murder happened to a Midlothian youth, it must be newsworthy? TV and print have a broader audience and must report on crime in all areas, even Jeff Davis.

Maybe Chesterfield officials just don't like the fact that 'those folks' who can't afford cable or satellite television can still find out about crime that has occurred in their neighborhoods from news reporters. Would Chesterfield's beloved "Open Government" rather keep these citizens in the dark?

Have Chesterfield County officials resorted to begging for additional media coverage through the Observer about Northrop Grumman coming to Meadowville Park? It's beginning to look desperate. News media have covered this topic ad nauseam. Citizens know that Northup Grumman is coming; however has any other company committed to investing in this technology park?

Maybe it's not newsworthy to tell everyone that Meadowville could be 50 percent larger than Innsbrook when no other companies have agreed to move their headquarters to this marvelous place?

It's beginning to look pretty questionable that the Observer is criticizing other media sources like the Times-Dispatch and Channel 12. My point is this....all citizens in all areas of the county deserve to view or read about crime that is occurring in their neighborhoods or surrounding communities. Whether there is a higher or lower incidence of crime in one particular area or another, it shouldn't change the importance of the media informing the public of criminal activity. Awareness is key to citizen involvement which helps solve crime cases and prevention of future crimes.

Shelly Schuetz

Matoaca

The lead story on WWBT's 6 p.m. newscast is reserved for the most important story of the day. As we reported that day last May, WWBT led with a story of a worker being robbed by a knife-wielding assailant. As regrettable as that incident was, it was not the most important story of the day.

To our knowledge, the daily paper did not even report the incident which indicates its lack of newsworthiness. Yes, we think the daily paper put American Idol too often on the front page, but so did many of its subscribers who complained in its letters to the editor. In the May 31 column, we congratulated the daily paper for reporting the Northrop Grumman story appropriately.

In that issue at the bottom of page one, we also reported the community's reaction to the death of Midlothian teenager Chip Ellis. For several days last month his murder dominated local news. It was our third story of that issue, not the lead story.

Ms. Schuetz's suggestion that the Chesterfield Observer is currying favor with the county indicates she doesn't read our paper very often. We have extended an invitation to meet and discuss her views about our reporting.

Finally, this newspaper has endorsed establishing a news council to critically evaluate the accuracy and fairness of news reporting in the Richmond area. We will continue to write occasional critiques of how our news brethren are performing. We invite them to do the same. -Editor