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Censorship comes in
different forms and modes. Censorship is defined as “the control of the
information and ideas circulated within a society.” Whitewashing,
suppression, sanitizing information--these are all forms of censorship.
Omission is a form of censorship. Censor, as a verb, is defined as “to
suppress or delete any contents considered objectionable.” I don’t
believe in censorship. I don’t believe in the manipulation of
information to influence the public.
However . . .
I censored
the article concerning the criminal complaints against
Ron
Gordon.
I want readers to know, mainly because I have not done so to manipulate
or influence anyone. After much discussion among staff, the decision to
sanitize the details provided by public records was based on one main
fact, The Calhoun Chronicle is rated G.
After
reading the details of the charges, we first considered providing our
readers with access to the details of the records as part of our duty to
inform. I suppose other news outlets would print the details without a
single thought.
Then, I
considered printing the G version in the newspaper, and including the
criminal complaints, word for word, on our web site, but over the
weekend, I changed my mind, and I will tell you the main reason why.
I know that
children read this newspaper and our web site. I looked at the
complaints with that thought in mind, and asked, “Would I read this out
loud to my 12 year old niece?” The answer was obvious. No. I absolutely
would not describe the details of an alleged rape or an alleged
attempted rape to either one.
So, now we
can add another theme to the list of “things
Lisa
won’t do,” and yes, I do feel a bit like a cleaning lady who says, “I
don’t do windows, I don’t do laundry and I don’t do dishes.” Call me a
wimp, call me a prude, call me a lousy reporter, I don’t care. There’s
no one telling me I must provide those details, and frankly, there’s no
one who can make me once I’ve made up my mind.
Even if I did provide
those details, they would never get past the editor.
Thus, the
decision has been made by this newspaper not to offer the details of the
charges here, and I am not going to be embarrassed or humbled to admit
we have chosen to take the high road.
Call it censorship if
you want; I can live with that, no problem.
So, if you
want to know all the little intricate details of the accusations against
Ron
Gordon,
you’ll have to look somewhere else. The criminal complaints are public
record, and can be obtained by any citizen with a simple request to the
magistrate clerk. You may have to wait a few days to get your copy, and
may have to pay a minimal fee, but that’s the cost to satisfy your
curiosity.
Yes, if you
want that information, go somewhere else. You’re not going to get it
from me.
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