I read several articles in The Meridian Star during the past week on “Sunshine Week.” I find the term intriguing because the public does not view all members of the press and media with respect. Some members of the press have been less than impartial (and some still are), especially during the last political election. A few have been untruthful. And many simply repeat information given by other members of the press without verifying the accuracy of the story. This diminishes the confidence and

Some members of the press have been less than impartial (and some still are), especially during the last political election. A few have been untruthful. And many simply repeat information given by other members of the press without verifying the accuracy of the story. This diminishes the confidence and respect the “freedom of the press” has always retained during my lifetime. As a former journalism major, I can verify a time when opinion and politic preference was restricted to the opinion page. Reporting was not to have an opinion, nor was it to be slanted to encourage a political view. The reporter was expected to respect the intelligence of the reader and present him with both sides of a given issue, enabling him to decide for himself what was truth. I am not sure journalism teaches that any more.

As a former journalism major, I can verify a time when opinion and politic preference was restricted to the opinion page. Reporting was not to have an opinion, nor was it to be slanted to encourage a political view. The reporter was expected to respect the intelligence of the reader and present him with both sides of a given issue, enabling him to decide for himself what was truth. I am not sure journalism teaches that any more.

For example, during the last election, on inauguration day, I expected to find the front headlines of The Meridian Star reporting on the first day activities, the inaugural balls, and who attended. Instead, I found the front page devoted to the efforts of a has-been Hollywood actress, leading a group of women wearing hats with a vulgar name, filling the streets in support of killing more unborn children. Stories about the nation’s new President were buried on page 6 and most of the articles were unfavorable in nature.

Another example was this week’s article headlined “Young Americans: Most see Trump as illegitimate president.” (The Meridian Star, March 19, page A5). I find that inflammatory and provocative. Inflammatory because it repeats a negative viewpoint that may be perpetuated by such articles. Provocative because it seeks to provoke distrust of a fundamental American right to choose our government leaders. Negative because it implies that the voter’s choice was somehow blocked or denied. This is destructive because it encourages outrage and revolution instead of becoming a teaching moment about diversity of opinion.

I would have much preferred a self-examination of the press to determine why most youth consider the new president to be illegitimate. Could it be that the press was so selective, so totally convinced Trump could not and would not win that they simply neglected to report fairly? They told everyone that Hillary would win by a landslide because they all seemed to be on her side. Since she did not win, it had to be foul play. The press did not take Trump seriously and certainly did not take the voters seriously. Moreover, the media appears to have told their followers incredible horror stories of what Trump intended to do If elected. This chaos is the fault of a press that has lost its ability to be objective and fair. Thus, the media has lost viewers and readers in every state in America. And we all suffer for that.

So, may I gently suggest that this newspaper, and others like it, practice what they are preaching during “Sunshine Week.” Ask yourselves why so many seem to report or repeat stories that support or perpetuate only their own views? Why, in a part of the nation known as the Bible Belt, are there so many stories about abortion, gender uncertainty and non-Christian faiths – unless it is an attempt to change mindsets that are underappreciated by journalists? There is a saying that “it is what it is, nothing more.” That’s what should be reported, not what the reporter wishes it could be.

Kasanda Howard is a resident of Quitman.

EDITOR’S NOTE: It is The Meridian Star policy to restrict opinion and commentary on the opinion page or clearly mark opinion placed on any other page. On Jan. 20, The Meridian Star published A1 and inside reports about inauguration day. On Jan. 21, the day after inauguration, the entire front page and most of three inside pages were devoted to inauguration coverage. The writer references coverage of the women’s march on Washington, which drew an estimated 500,000 people to the Capitol. That report appeared in The Star Jan. 22. The Young Americans poll story included reporting explaining the poll results.