Latest Newsletter - Washington News Council
Transcription
Latest Newsletter - Washington News Council
Washington News Council Summer/Fall 2008 2008 Gridiron West to ‘toast’ Kemper Freeman Jr. T he Washington News Council has set Sunday, Nov. 9, for its tenth annual Gridiron West Dinner – this year, a “toast” to Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman Jr. “Kemper has really put Bellevue on the map,” says John Hamer, WNC executive director. “His impact on our region has been huge, and there are some great stories to tell about Kemper and the legacy of his family as community leaders.” Bill and Jill Ruckelshaus, last year’s Gridiron honorees, will serve as honorary co-chairs at Bellevue’s Westin Hotel, Lincoln Square. “Toasters” will include a stellar list of family, friends and colleagues. Mike Egan of Microsoft returns as emcee with his trademark humor and traditional slideshow highlighting Freeman’s life and accomplishments. Cabaret Productions will again present a musical tribute and parody songs. General and private receptions begin at 5 pm, with dinner and program from 6-9 pm. “The Gridiron West has become everyone’s favorite annual event,” says Hamer. “Coming right after the election, it’s a good time to put our partisan differences aside and just have fun.” Printed invitations will be mailed in early September, but tickets may be ordered earlier by calling 206-262-9793 or by accessing the News Council website at www.wanewscouncil.org. Tables of 10 are available at several levels (see below). Several “Bellevue Collection” tables have already been purchased -- by Boeing, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Peter Horvitz Foundation, and Microsoft. The number of top-level tables is limited and they are expected to go fast, so be sure to reserve yours early! øøø INSIDE 2008 Gridiron West Dinner w ElderHealth Northwest files RESERVE YOUR SEATS NOW! formal complaint against KOMO 4 News Don Hewitt, John Seigenthaler and Richard Engel winners announced volunteer board members; elects new officers w WNC speaker series features w Three WNC scholarship w WNC welcomes two new wWNC investigation & report wins Ancil Payne Award for The Spokesman-Review General Reception & Dinner: $150 each Private Reception & Dinner: $250 each Bellevue Collection Table: $10,000 Sunday, Nov. 9 www.wanewscouncil.org Go to “Click & Pledge” or call 206-262-9793 Prime Table plus Private Reception tickets for 10. Company/Logo/Name on WNC invitations, plus on big screens, and on printed programs. Special recognition from podium. Gifts for each of your guests to take home. Bellevue Square Table: $5,000 Premium Table for 10 plus Private Reception tickets for 6. Company/Logo/Name on table, big screens and in program. Recognition from podium. Lincoln Square Table: $2,500 Table for 10, plus 4 tickets to Private Reception. Company/Name on table, big screens and in program. Recognition from podium. Bellevue Place Table: $1,250 Table for 10. Company/Name on big screens and in program. Recognition from podium. Washington News Council — Promoting fairness, accuracy and balance in the news media Page 2 Complaint Filed Against KOMO TV by ElderHealth Northwest T he Washington News Council on June 11 received a formal written complaint against KOMO 4 News from ElderHealth Northwest, a Seattle non-profit organization. The WNC accepted the complaint for its process and delivered it to KOMO on June 24. The complaint charged that on Jan. 10, 2008, KOMO aired a story on its 11 p.m. news about an ElderHealth patient who had reported to police that a male nurse repeatedly molested her. The KOMO report stated that police had “launched an investigation.” A graphic used in the report showed the ElderHealth logo, with the words “Patient Rape” superimposed over the sign. ElderHealth’s reputation and failed to include “balancing facts or information.” “ElderHealth Northwest believes that this story was handled irresponsibly by KOMO and it did significant damage to the reputation of our organization that has served this community for 30 years,” the complaint states. “We believe it ran simply for its dramatic impact and was not researched at all.” The Seattle Police, the Prosecutor’s Office, the state’s Department of Nursing and Adult Protective Services all investigated but no charges were filed against the male nurse, who is back on the job at ElderHealth. After conversations between ElderHealth and KOMO, the However, the ElderHealth station removed the “Patient staff and board of directors Rape” graphic from its website contend that the woman was and the original video is no mentally disturbed, and that no longer viewable on the site. molestation or rape ever occurred. However, the text is still online at www.komonews.com. They were not contacted by KOMO before the story ran. Under the WNC’s guideThe KOMO story said: “Calls to lines, the two parties have 30 ElderHealth went unreturned.” days to resolve the complaint. ElderHealth staff members say If they are unable to do so, the that a message was left on their News Council may hold a public office answering machine, but hearing, which would be held only after the office had closed Sept. 20 (place TBA). the night the story ran. At a hearing, KOMO and Their complaint contends ElderHealth each would be that the story was “factugiven the opportunity to make ally incorrect,” “misleading” their case before the full News and “sensationalized.” Their Council, whose members vote complaint form states that on whether or not to uphold a the story “wrongly damaged” complaint. Washington News Council The News Council has no legal authority or power to sanction media organizations, and media participation is entirely voluntary. The Council’s mission is to help maintain public trust and confidence in the news media by promoting fairness, accuracy and balance, and by providing a forum where citizens and journalists can engage each other in discussing standards of media ethics and performance. Note: As this newsletter went to press, ElderHealth’s staff and board were negotiating with KOMO executives to seek a compromise resolution. øøø WNC CALENDAR July 26 — WNC Annual Board Retreat, Mercer Island Community Center Aug. 1-3 — Public Innovators Summit, Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, WA Sept. 19 — Journalism Day at UW presented by the Washington Journalism Education Association Sept. 20 — Public hearing on complaint (tentative) October 29 — WNC Quarterly Board Meeting (place TBA) Nov. 9 — Gridiron West Dinner, toasting Kemper Freeman Jr. at The Westin Hotel, Lincoln Square in Bellevue Page 3 Steve Raible & Don Hewitt. Photo: Pete Lindstrom John Seigenthaler. Photo still from TVW video Dennis Bounds & Richard Engel. Photo: Chris Carter An Hour with Don Hewitt of “60 Minutes” moderated by Steve Raible, Anchor, KIRO 7; Tuesday, April 1 at The Rainier Club, Seattle; co-sponsored by Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow School of Communication, The Seattle Times, and KIRO 7 Eyewitness News. Creator of “60 Minutes,” Don Hewitt is now executive producer at CBS News. He produced and directed the first televised presidential debates between Nixon and Kennedy. He was a friend and colleague of Edward R. Murrow, and received the Murrow Award for Lifetime Achievement in Broadcast Journalism at WSU on April 3. The First Amendment: Our Rights at Risk? A presentation by John Seigenthaler of the First Amendment Center, Friday, April 18; Seattle Public Library, Microsoft Auditorium; cosponsored by Davis Wright Tremaine, The Seattle Times, Washington Coalition for Open Government, ACLU of Washington, and Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. John Seigenthaler founded the First Amendment Center in 1991 to create national dialogue and debate about First Amendment rights. He was founding editorial director of USA Today and formerly editor, publisher and CEO of The [Nashville] Tennessean. War Journal: My Five Years in Iraq, a discussion with Richard Engel, NBC News Middle East Correspondent; moderated by Dennis Bounds, Anchor, KING5; Monday, June 9; The Seattle Times Auditorium; co-sponsored by The Seattle Times, KING5, and Microsoft. Richard Engel is the longest serving American broadcaster in Iraq and the only television reporter to cover the country continuously before, during and after the 2003 U.S. invasion. He has won numerous journalism awards, including the Edward R. Murrow Award, the Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism, and an Emmy. Speaker series launches WNC’s 10th year T WNC scholarships double, thanks to Costco Washington State University. he Washington News Council awarded three $2,000 scholarships in 2008, an increase made possible by a generous $10,000 contribution to the WNC scholarship fund by Costco Wholesale. In prior years the WNC gave two $1,000 scholarships. The scholarships honor the late Seattle Times journalists Dick Larsen and Herb Robinson, and go to Washington students planning careers in communication and who attend instate schools. The Robinson scholarship goes to a graduating high-school senior, and the Larsen award goes to a student currently attending college. The 2008 scholarship committee awarded two Herb Robinson scholarships because two student applicants were equally deserving. The Dick Larsen scholarship went to Maren Anderson (Tacoma), a senior at Pacific Lutheran University. Family and friends of the 2008 Robinson scholarship winners, along with three former WNC scholars and News Council representatives, gathered to celebrate on June 20 at the Pyramid Alehouse. Larsen scholar, Maren Anderson, was unable to attend. Olivia Hernandez Jennifer Draper The Robinson winners, both from Eastern Washington, are Olivia Hernandez (Yakima), who will attend Seattle University; and Jennifer Draper (Tri-Cities), who will attend To honor WNC’s tenth year, three former scholarship winners returned to share the celebration: Adam Faber (2001), Mary Andom (2003), and Kacie McKinney (2006). All three have pursued careers in communication. Scholarship information is available at www.wanewscouncil.org Summer/Fall 2008 Page 4 T en years ago this summer, the Washington News Council was From the WNC conceived. executive director’s desk John Hamer A friend showed me a videotape of a “60 Minutes” story by Mike Wallace about the Minnesota News Council. Wallace had been an opponent of news councils, but covering an MNC complaint hearing changed his mind. “Why don’t we have a news council in this state?” my friend asked. A small group of us decided to create the Washington News Council. The first thing we did was to assemble a Founding Board. I called Jim Ellis, an old friend and father of so many wonderful projects in this state, and explained what we wanted to do. He thought for awhile, and said: “John, it’s going to take at least 10 years, but you are going to change the way news reporting is done in this state. Go for it!” With Jim’s endorsement, the Washington News Council was born. After that, our blue-ribbon, bipartisan Founding Board quickly fell into place: Patsy Collins, Bill Gerberding, Ken Hatch, Jeannette Hayner, Dennis Heck, Pat Herbold, Ron Judd, Mike Lowry, Stan McNaughton, Charley Royer and Bill Ruckelshaus all agreed to join. They jointly invited people to our kick-off breakfast on Sept. 14, 1998, at the Washington Athletic Club. Gary Gilson, Executive Director of the Minnesota News Council, our keynote speaker, explained how well it had worked there for almost 30 years. After that meeting, dozens of local citizens – from the media, business, academia, law, non-profits and other professions – agreed to support the Washington News Council. To select the Council’s original members, we invited applications and nominations from all over the state. About 200 names were submitted, and 20 were selected – half from the news media, half from other professions. Among the Council’s first members was Bill Gates Sr., who faxed us his application. He stayed on the board for 4 years, and continues to help advise us regularly. Bill has been a strong and loyal supporter of the WNC ever since (see next page), and we can’t thank him enough. He arranged a Washington News Council start-up grant that got us through our early years. As the WNC celebrates its 10th anniversary, here are a few testimonials from people we have helped: “If not for the Washington News Council, there would be no one to call into account bad news reporting.” – Bernie Friedman, whose complaint against The Olympian was upheld in 2000. “Let me thank you for your invaluable service. I am profoundly grateful.” – Glenn Ledbetter, whose complaint against The Seattle Times was resolved in 2000. “We applaud the Council’s admirable – but challenging – goal as a fair-minded mediator of f inding a ‘middle ground’ that will satisfy both sides.” – Ralph Nichols of the Highline Times, in a column that resolved a complaint by the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce in 2002. “The Council provides an important and constructive service to all Washingtonians by encouraging greater accuracy and relevance in news media reporting.” – Blair Thompson, Washington Dairy Products Commission, whose complaint against KIRO-TV was upheld in 2003. “We have complete resolution….Without the Washington News Council, this resolution would not have happened.” – Joseph de Beauchamp, whose complaint against the Puget Sound Business Journal was resolved in 2004. “You’re doing a great service to the community by taking action that will improve the practice of journalism.” – Sue Rahr, King County Sheriff, whose complaint against the Seattle Post-Intelligencer was upheld in 2006. We are extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished in the past 10 years (see p.7). With your help, we will continue providing this invaluable service for many years to come. Page 5 I’d like to encourage you to consider supporting the Washington News Council in its 10th Anniversary Year. The News Council’s mission is to ensure that we get fair, accurate, thorough and balanced information about everything that goes on in our community and our society. And that’s really important, because the news media are so vital to our democracy. From the desk of William H. Gates, Sr. I first learned about the Council from my friend Patsy Bullitt Collins. She encouraged me to get involved, and I became one of the original Board Members of the News Council in 1998. I’m now a Board Member Emeritus, and continue to help them because I believe their mission is so important. The Council’s recent accomplishments are impressive: u It has reviewed almost two dozen formal complaints from people who felt they had been damaged by news stories. For example, the Council recently handled a complaint against the Seattle Post-Intelligencer from the King County Sheriff ’s Office. I strongly encourage you read to about it on the News Council’s website. u The News Council was asked by The Spokane Spokesman-Review to conduct an independent outside analysis of that newspaper’s coverage of the controversial River Park Square development. The Council produced a first-rate report that has garnered national praise. u The Council has held several public forums and panels to address various ethical issues involving the news media. And this year it began a Media Speaker Series that has included such figures as Don Hewitt of “60 Minutes,” John Seigenthaler of the First Amendment Center, and Richard Engel of NBC News. u The Council continues to work with young journalism students statewide, doing mock hearings, sponsoring internships, and awarding two scholarships every year, named after Dick Larsen and Herb Robinson, former Seattle Times editors. u The Council has held its Gridiron West Dinners every November for nine years now. These are truly bipartisan events aimed at bringing people together despite our political differences -- and that’s a very good thing. A few years ago, Mimi and I were “toasted” and it was lots of fun. This year, Kemper Freeman Jr. will be “toasted” at The Westin Hotel in Bellevue on November 9. For such a small organization with a limited budget, the Council has a remarkable track record. But keeping an organization like this going is always a challenge. I urge you to seriously consider supporting the Council during this 10th Anniversary year. You can become a member for as little as $50 a year, or join at the $100, $250 or $500 level. If you’d like to help more, you can join “100 Friends of the WNC” and pledge $1,000 a year for three consecutive years. That carries a special bonus: two tickets each year to the annual Gridiron West Dinner. You may join online, call the WNC office with a credit card number, or just put a check in the mail. The News Council has another option for those of you who really want to be involved: It has formed a new group called “Best Friends of the WNC,” whose members pledge $10,000 a year for three years. In return, Best Friends get a front-row table for 10 at the next three Gridiron West Dinners. The News Council is doing very important work. I hope you’ll be generous. Sincerely yours, Summer/Fall 2008 Page 6 WNC’S Report Wins Ancil Payne Award for Spokesman-Review T he Washington News Council’s unprecedented study for The [Spokane] SpokesmanReview won a 2008 Ancil Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism from the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication. The award was presented at a ceremony in Eugene on May 8, 2008, by Tim Gleason, Dean of the School. Gary Graham, Managing Editor of The Spokesman-Review, accepted the award on behalf of the newspaper. age of a project some described as “a long-running civic nightmare.” The report’s principal investigator/writer was Bill Richards and The downtown project’s devel- the project leader was Cliff Rowe. A team of WNC board members opers were the Cowles family, acted as the project’s editors and which also owns the newspaper. The paper’s publisher and president produced its findings and recomhad major financial interests in the mendations, many of which were accepted by Smith and The project. Critics charged that this Spokesman-Review. conflict-of-interest affected the paper’s news stories and editorial positions. The WNC’s report cited “a cloud of public distrust that the REPORTING YOURSELF paper could not seem to shake.” ON An independent analysis of In announcing the award, the Payne judges said: “A newspaper WNC Executive Director John publisher is a major institution in Washington News Council Hamer attended the ceremony. a community – sometimes having Spokesman-Review Editor Steve other interests. To open up the Smith, who asked the News Council paper to an objective analysis to do the report in early 2006, was of that coverage and to publish in Europe and unable to attend. without fear or favor what they found is courageous; the level of “Reporting on Yourself: An To order a printed copy of independence and control they Independent Analysis of The the report ($10), go to www. were willing to give up is signifiSpokesman-Review’s Coverage of wanewscouncil.org and open the cant; and having an organization and Role in the River Park Square such as a news council investigate is “Click&Pledge” page. Redevelopment Project,” reviewed unprecedented.” 10 years of the newspaper’s coverThe Spokesman-Review’s coverage of and role in the Spokane River Park Square redevelopment project prepared and published by the Bill Richards, investigator / writer Clifford G. Rowe, project leader requested by The Spokesman-Review Steven A. Smith, editor Washington News Council PO Box 3672 Seattle WA 98124 www.wanewscouncil.org 206.262.9793 (Copyright, May 2007, Washington News Council) Thank you to our ‘100 Friends of the Washington News Council’ The Washington News Council has formed “100 Friends of the WNC.” Members pledge to donate $1,000 a year for three consecutive years to help support the News Council’s mission. Friends also receive two tickets each year to our annual Gridiron West Dinners. Members so far include: Minoru & Yoko Arakawa Tom Barwick Richard & Edwina Baxter James Bianco Boeing* Susan Bond Herbert Bridge Dr. Daniel Brzusek Suzie Burke Suzy Burke Doris Cassan Pedro & Laura Celis Tom Cock Jr. Costco* Jane & David Davis Tom Downey Patty Edwards Jim Ellis Sharon Gantz Bill Gates Sr. Gates Foundation* Margo & Andy Gordon Martha Kongsgaard & Peter Goldman Austin & Ina Hamer Ken & Cathi Hatch Tom & Peggy Hayward Richard & Elizabeth Hedreen Bob & Pat Herbold John Holliday Peter Horvitz* Sandeep Kaushik & Elizabeth Goodwin Deanie Larsen Grant & Marci Larsen Betsy Lieberman & Richard Groomer Washington News Council Bruce & Jolene McCaw Microsoft* Martin Neeb Chuck Nordhoff Chuck & Cathy Novak Mary Odermat Victor Odermat Mary Pigott Gregory Porter Joe & Jaynie Putnam Harry & Ann Pryde Steve & Paula Reynolds Sarah & John Rindlaub Skip Rowley Bill & Jill Ruckelshaus Sandy Schoolfield & Jon Kechejian Alan & Nancy Sclater Karen Seinfeld Helen Silha Stephen Silha Gary Smith & Karen Ekblad Senator Sid Snyder John Stanton & Theresa Gillespie Doug & Janet True Craig & Joan Watjen Rick White * $10,000 donor Join this distinguished group, or you can join at any level, by calling the WNC office at 206.262.9793 or go to the “Click & Pledge” link at www.wanewscouncil.org. WNC News Clips Two join volunteer board T he Washington News Council has added two new members to its board. Pedro Celis and Scott Vokey will each serve a minimum of three years on the WNC Board of Directors. Pedro Celis, Public Member Dr. Celis is currently a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft Corporation where he servers as CTO of the SQL Server group. He was appointed by President Bush and served as a member of the President’s Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC) from 2003 to 2005. He is the holder of over 15 U.S. Patents. He is a board member of Families Northwest, and serves on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, the Monterray Institute of Technology. Pedro is the founder, and serves on the board of the Washington Republican National Hispanic Assembly. He served as its Chairman for four years. Scott Vokey, Public Member Scott Vokey is general counsel of Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company, the 15th largest homebuilder in the United States which also is involved in residential real estate development and finance. Previously he held legal positions in hotel development, hotel management and investment management companies and was a partner at Preston Gates & Ellis, now known as K & L Gates. He is a graduate of the University of Houston College of Law, Connecticut College and Northfield Mt. Hermon School. WNC elects new officers T he WNC board elected officers at the April 30 board meeting, hosted by Fisher Seattle Broadcasting and KOMO-TV. General Manager Jim Clayton welcomed the group to the station’s boardroom. New WNC officers are president Suzie Burke (Fremont Dock Co.); vice president Martin Neeb (retired general manager, KPLU Radio); secretary Peter Horvitz (Horvitz Newspapers); and treasurer Michael Campbell (Northwest Marine Trade Association). The Washington News Council elects officers annually. To learn more about serving on the News Council board, call the WNC office at 206-262-9793. WNC & WJEA collaborate T he Washington Journalism Education Association (WJEA) is now sharing space with the Washington News Council at their office above the Pyramid Alehouse, across from Safeco Field in Seattle. Kathy Schrier, WJEA immediate past president, now executive director, has been part-time executive assistant at the WNC since 2006. “Kathy has brought great skills and professionalism to the News Council,” said John Hamer, WNC executive director, “and her leadership of WJEA has added a new dimension to our educational programs.” WJEA is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that provides support, training and resources for journalism teachers in Washington state. Page 7 WNC’S First Decade by the numbers 23 Formal written complaints filed against media organizations by individuals or organizations 14 9 4 Complaints dismissed; failed to meet WNC guidelines Complaints accepted for WNC review process Public hearings held by News Council board to consider complaints 3 Complaints upheld at hearings by News Council board (one not upheld) 4 20 28 Complaints resolved with WNC help (one pending) Public forums, panels and speakers on media-related issues Student mock news council hearings at college and high-school journalism classes statewide 18 Dick Larsen and Herb Robinson Scholarships awarded to highschool and college students statewide 10 Gridiron West Dinners to “toast” prominent journalists, politicians and civic leaders Summer/Fall 2008 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE WA PERMIT NO. 1595 Mailing address: PO Box 3672 Seattle WA 98124-3672 WNC BOARD MEMBERS Karen Seinfeld, Chair MEDIA MEMBERS Mike Flynn Peter Horvitz, Secretary John Knowlton Erik Lacitis Johathan Lawson Martin Neeb, Vice President Chuck Rehberg David Schaefer, Past President Mark Wright PUBLIC MEMBERS Everett Billingslea Steve Boyer Suzie Burke, President Michael Campbell, Treasurer Pedro Celis Scott Forslund Dr. Eddie Reed Sandy Schoolfield Christopher Villiers Scott Vokey SAVE THE DATE! 2008 Gridiron West Dinner Q Sunday, November 9 Q Private & General Receptions, 5 pm; Dinner & Program, 6-9 pm WEBSITE www.wanewscouncil.org PHONE 206-262-9793 FAX 206-464-7902 E-MAIL [email protected] STAFF John Hamer, Executive Director Kathy Schrier, Executive Assistant Washington News Council A very special evening and “toast” honoring Bellevue’s own Q Kemper Freeman Jr. Q Co-chairs: Bill and Jill Ruckelshaus Westin Hotel, Lincoln Square, Bellevue WA Reserve seats or tables at www.wanewscouncil.org Contact: [email protected] or 206.262.9793