On Friday, Newsday published a half-story about the Iraqi Vet who was "terrorized" at the Bellmore, Long Island, NY, Street Fair this past weekend.
I wrote the Author an email about my disgust of her reporting:
Though I appreciate you covering the story, you know you should have covered on Tuesday when Kris emailed you, and not require me to make this worldwide news through Digg and Daily Kos to get Newsday's attention.
You do realize you left out the most important aspect of the story as well.
The Bellmore Chamber of Commerce is at 406 Bedford Ave, this was 406 during the fair: http://bellmorechamber.com/...
I hope you have seen the original daily kos article, but by judging from the article, i am not sure.
I hope you actual cover the story here, not just report half the facts and quote Joni, who is a known republican, saying she didnt persecute Kris on his beliefs.... She and nearly all of the leadership of the chamber are known republican donor.... Continued After the Jump
So why dont you cover the story tomorrow or sunday and report the facts, not just what people tell you on a phone call.... Investigative journalism.... or does not not exist in the modern corporate world of journalism?
Nassau County has been controlled by these far right wing republicans for decades. This is our chance to remove these hate-filled people once and for all. All I am asking is you report the FACTS. Is that to much to expect from Long Islands only newspaper?
Thank You
Thomas Paine, CommonSense2k8
The Author's response to my email...
Thanks for your comments. For the record, I first heard about what happened to Kris on Thursday morning and started on the story immediately. And as to your comments on the story itself: Newspapers, unlike blogs, have an obligation to be balanced and to report a story from both sides. My editors, and the readers of Newsday that expect balanced coverage, would never let a one-source, one-sided story fly.
All best, Christina
Christina Hernandez
Newsday reporter
631-843-3026 (office)
631-456-2385 (cell)
631-843-2953 (fax)
christina.hernandez@newsday.com
My response to her, which has received no response
They expect the facts. Both sides of the story, yes, but they expect the facts to be reported... be it beneficial for one side or the other.... facts are more important. That is what a reader expects.
The article made no mention of the clearly partisan activities of the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce.
And for the record, Kris emailed you [newsday] the letter on Tuesday. Not until it was on digg and received numerous calls from angry people around the country did you heard about it...
I hope you investigate it.... like how newspapers used to do it....
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This story has been picked up by several blogs, was added to numerous Tribune websites, recieved worldwide attention through Digg.com thanks to Daily Kos, we just need to ensure this situation doesnt die and slip to the back of our minds.
I am asking Daily Kos users to digg the Newsday article: http://digg.com/... : so the story continues, and hopefully Christina Hernandez or someone at Newsday will do a followup with the real story, not just the sanitized version they printed yesterday.
Thank You Daily Kos Users
Part 1: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Part 2: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Digg for part 2: http://digg.com/...
Part 3: http://www.dailykos.com/...