Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2003 12:18 AM
Subject: Reporting the Re-opening of Cavel
Dear
Editors,
Re: Your article
http://www.star.niu.edu/metro/articles/092303-tower.asp
“Twenty-one
percent of of revenue funds come from NIU; they are our biggest employer,”
Sparrow said. “I think we should have a good relationship with the university.
They’re going to be here for a very long time.”
“I agree that the water fund is not a general fund, but we have gotten some
fantastic exposure from Northern in the past few weeks and we should assist each
other whenever we can,” he said.
Is this why Northern Star refuses to publish any opposing points of view from
the many citizens who disagree with the reopening of the Cavel slaughterhouse?
Because of your fidiciary relationship with the City of Dekalb? Because
they paid for your logo to be on a water tower with taxpayer money?
Providing your readers with only one point of view is a disservice to the
public, and is failing your duty as reporters and journalists. You are
displaying a lack of fairness, which is essential to reporting the news and good
journalism.
You are in violation of the American Society of Newspaper Editors Code of Ethics
(Statement of Principals), under Article 1 which states:
"Newspapermen
and women who abuse the power of their professional role for selfish motives
or unworthy purposes are faithless to that public trust."
You
are also in violation of Article III which states:
"Journalists must avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety as
well as any conflict of interest or the appearance of conflict."
Article
IV states:
"Every effort must be made to assure that the news content is accurate,
free from bias and in context, and that all sides are presented fairly".
For your convenience, here is the link to the Statement of Principals:
http://www.asne.org/kiosk/archive/principl.htm
I ask you to adhere to these basic standards while reporting the reopening
of the Cavel slaughterhouse. One sided reported is intolerable. Your credibility
is at stake.
Sincerely,
Sherillyn Flick
Flower Mound, Texas
CC: Pam Lannom, President of the Northern Illinios Newspaper Association Board
CC: Jan Larson, Past President, NINA
CC: Dedra Autra, Senior V.P., Dekalb Chamber of Commerce
CC: Christopher Kiggins, President, CNBAM
CC: Jim Killam, adviser, Northern Star
CC: Jim Connors, City Mgr., City of Dekalb
CC: Paul Rasmussen, Community Development, City of DeKalb