Bob Koehler: The deafening sound of media silence (Trib 5/16)

[AtLiberty]

The deafening sound of media silence

Robert Koehler, Syndicated columnist
Tribune Media Services
Published May 16, 2005
Chicago Tribune
Voice of the People

Chicago -- The Chicago Tribune has done a lot of tough, courageous investigative work over the years, and is a paper I have long admired and relied on for my news. So my disappointment at its lack of coverage of the well-documented irregularities in the 2000 and 2004 elections, and its unconcern about the security of future elections, is profound indeed.

This disappointment turned into active dismay after public editor Don Wycliff chose to write a column ("When winning isn't everything," Commentary, April 28) dismissing the concerns of a substantial number of readers who had e-mailed the Tribune recommending it publish a column I had written, "The Silent Scream of Numbers," discussing those irregularities and reporting on a national election-reform conference in Nashville last month...

Rest of column here:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0505160123may16,0,5515147.story?coll=chi-newsopinionvoice-he

[mopinko]

1. well, it's a sad day when your own columnist is reduced

to a ltte, but at least they printed something.

[Botany]

2. Drip Drip Drip

Please let this be the start.

[AtLiberty]

3. We should all respond to the Trib now...

Let's write "Voice of the People" and support Koehler NOW!

[Coexist]

4. Here is the contact info from an old post - sorry no link- at work

Just in case you want to contact Mr. Wycliff's boss at the tribune:

Ann Marie Lipinski
Editor, Senior Vice President, Chicago Tribune

312-222-4552 (line to her assistant, Mary Ellen)
Other numbers:
312-222-3006
312-222-3232
312-222-9100

[e-mail]
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. This is what I sent (cc:'d Lipinski and general editor email)

Dear Mr. Koehler,

Once again I must thank you for giving voice to a frustration that has reached epidemic proportions among concerned Americans. I had the occasion to speak to newsroom personnel from a Gannett site on Saturday evening. I asked why they had failed to report on election irregularities despite overwhelming evidence and congressional protest. I was appalled by the naive answer. An editor informed me that news is driven by the marketing department and it had been determined that readers were not interested in such stories. I do not know whether he actually believed that explanation or expected me to do so. Either way it is absolutely preposterous. The idea that Americans do not care is patently absurd and incredibly insulting.

I do not know if the lack of coverage is due to lazy journalism courtesy of "source bias," fear of administration reprisals, corporate desire for hefty profit margins or concern for the inevitable constitutional crisis should election results prove fraudulent, but regardless of the reason American media has been derelict in its duty. I appreciate the Tribune publishing your letter but cannot abide their continued silence on the front page.

If "election fraud" is too intimidating a term than perhaps the media can pursue the angle of "voter confidence." Investigative journalism may be expensive and risky, but it is an American media tradition that we cannot afford to let die. The media should demand to know why the software at Diebold, ES&S and Sequoia is proprietary rather than held in public trust and why more and more votes are being cast without hard-copy confirmation. It is outrageous that the media declined to cover an historic event like the congressional challenge to the Electoral results which were based on a Judicial Committee minority report outlining evidence of malfeasance. More Americans know the details of the Jackson legal wranglings, which have absolutely no impact upon their individuals lives, than they do about how their votes were counted. The same media that reported on the exit poll discrepancies which ultimately overturned the Ukrainian election results needs to find out why American exit poll discrepancies have been brushed aside as meaningless.

If your marketing department is indeed telling you that people want more Jacko and less Gitmo they are no better than those who claimed we would find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. I urge the media to cease functioning as entertainment and return to journalism. No news is worse than bad news. At least when you have bad news you know what work needs to be done.

Regards,
------------

[Peace Patriot]

10. Great letter, Pacifist Patriot! --from your compadre in the belief that..

...peacefulness and patriotism are one and the same, in this era of weapons of mass destruction.

[Amaryllis]

16. Have you seen this: Conyers looks for new in the wrong places. (link here)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x369642

[Pacifist Patriot]

21. I swear I am sending him flowers for Independence Day.

[oxbow]

33. That has to be one of the strangest things I've ever read

true in many ways but so snarky that someone could easily take it for pure satire

[smartvoter]

19. That is a disturbing answer you received. Crazy, even. nt

[Pacifist Patriot]

20. Isn't it bizarre?!

I honestly couldn't tell if the editor was serious or not. I asked my husband later. (He practically grew up in a newspaper and has a softspot for newsroom personnel.) He said that it could very well be what the newsroom is told, they just wouldn't bother to question it. *shudder* Complacent journalists, yeah that's just what we need.

[smartvoter]

23. It's completely illogical. How would you even know unless you started

reporting it? But it does explain why we see so much fluff/gossip news. It probably polls well because people have to first be told what happened before they can take interest.

This is soooooo dumb. And wrong.

[bleever]

28. Nice touch: "...more Jacko and less Gitmo..."

Also, "No news is worse than bad news."

Great letter.

[GuvWurld]

32. Voter Confidence Is a Great Frame

Read the Voter Confidence Resolution

[kster]

34. This is so much easier to understand

Paper Ballot Hand counted and recorded by the people PERIOD

[Pacifist Patriot]

5. Hey cool...

I'm one of the people who said winning isn't everything, fair elections are everything. Or something to that effect. I think I have a few more emails to send. Thanks for posting!

[Coexist]

7. Awsome!

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. Kick to remind everyone to support Koehler. Please keep

attention on his efforts and the heat on the editors at the Trib.

[tandem5]

9. a rebuttal to Koehler's original article gets picked up, but...

Koehler himself is relegated to the letters-to-the-editors section... I know any little bit helps... but sometimes I wonder if we aren't all on some hidden camera show because this is just beyond absurd.

[Pacifist Patriot]

12. It is a bit like waiting for Godot.

[Amaryllis]

17. Well, I sure hope the Candid Camera guy shows up soon...don't know how

much more beyond absurd it can get.

[Peace Patriot]

11. Does anyone have Bob Koelher's email handy, so I can cc him?

I lost it somewhere. Here's my letter to the editor...

To: Ann Marie Lipinski
Editor, Senior Vice President, Chicago Tribune [e-mail]

Dear Editor Lipinski:

The Chicago Tribune should be investigating 2004 election fraud, and leading the fight for transparent elections, instead of suppressing information about this vital matter--as you did by spiking Bob Koehler’s column about it.

You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Sincerely,

xxxxx

[Pacifist Patriot]

13. Here you go.

[e-mail]

[AtLiberty]

14. Yup

[e-mail]

[Peace Patriot]

40. Thanks, you two! I sent it off. Short and sweet!

I am profoundly shocked at the Chicago Tribune and at the state of American...ahem, journalism. It's nothing less than an "Iron Curtain."

[mod mom]

15. I sent Mr. Koehler a thank you and invited him to join our family here

at the DU election results and discussion forum, when the condemnation and ridicule gets to him.

[Amaryllis]

18. What;s amazing is that they even published his letter. What gives? How is

Wyclilff gonna take that?

[Pacifist Patriot]

22. Publishing the letter allows them to distance themselves from

taking a stand on the issue. Either way it falls they can claim the high road. The story breaks wide open and they published his side. The story becomes the ridicule of the century and they can say, well we were fair and gave both sides the opportunity to have their say. They are holding him at arms length.

[mopinko]

26. holding him at arms length.

absolutely. running it as a "voice of the people", (this is a glorified ltte space, with the occasional "somebody's" letter) as though he was just another schmoe, is their way of having it both ways.

[kster]

24. kick.nt

[Melissa G]

25. nominated!

[mod mom]

27. wow! bob koehler responded to my e-mail w a nice reply! nt

[Amaryllis]

30. I just got a thank you too and he said he is very appreciative of DU.

[Pacifist Patriot]

35. Yes, he is very gracious in his replies.

[mod mom]

36. Mr. Koehler should investigate and write a book! nt

[jarnocan]

37. me too! twice

He actually said he liked my blog. I am trying to link some actions and petitions etc. all over the place, because I feel they are really important.

"Dear Jacalyn,
Wow, thanks for the multimedia event!! Everything here is fabulous. More power to you.
Bob Koehler"
He really is an inspiration, as are K.Olberman, Maher, Moore, the folks at BUZZflash, Robert Parry and many more.

[Al-CIAda]

29. Recommended

[kster]

31. kick again.....nt

[BradBlog]

38. A Full Recap of the Koehler Situation...Plus Interview...

...for those just jumping in, I've posted a complete-ish recap of the Koehler/Wycliff/Chicago Tribune situation here:

http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001397.htm

...Including a link to the interview I did with Koehler two weeks ago on my radio show (http://www.BradShow.com) at the end of the week where Tribune Media Services censored/spiked one of his columns entirely.

Have been on the road until just a day or two ago, and running somewhat more behind than usual, so thanks AtLiberty for getting Koehler's column (okay, Letter to the Editor) linked up here at DU!

Brad
---
Brad Friedman
THE BRAD BLOG - The uprising continues...
http://www.BradBlog.com
VELVET REVOLUTION - The revolution begins...
http://www.VelvetRevolution.us

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[Blue Shark]

39. For Me...

...it always comes back to the questin:

...If there was nothing to hide...why the Farcical Recount?

...Wouldn't it have been the perfect opportunity to stick it to the dems twice by showing the dry drunk and his band of boobs got more votes in Ohio...unless they didn't.