An Open Letter to Joe Cannon
My Friend,
Though John McCain has taken to over-using the term, I sincerely mean it: I view you as one of my friends. You and Jeff Hartley hired me at the Republican Party just a few years ago. Your race in 1992 for U.S. Senate was one of my first political memories, and I still think, like my entire extended family does, that you would have been a fantastic Senator. You and my uncle are pretty tight, too. So I say this in all sincerity, and with no intentions to harm that relationship.
But I must be honest: Bob Bernick is truly costing the Deseret News credibility, and it's reflecting poorly upon you. Just take a look at the blog Rep. Steve Urquhart is updating almost daily the past week: www.steveu.com/blog . If this isn't a damning example of a journalist failing the integrity test, I don't know what is.
It's perfectly clear that Bob Bernick has ceased being useful as a reporter. Just take a look at the stories he's producing from day to day: It's a ridiculous compilation of what I call "calculator column inches", IE, Bob simply finds some numbers, adds verbs and nouns, and calls it a day. Between calculator columns, and his recent fabrication, feigned retraction, and John Florez's remarkably-poorly-timed reaction, the DNews is looking the fool. And Urquhart is calling you on it.
It's time for action, Joe. With all of the cutbacks recently, and the rumored "icy reception" you received upon taking over, you couldn't be in a more difficult position to make this decision. But when the GOP Legislators you worked to elect avoid talking to your political editor, but are more willing to talk to your liberal competitor, you have a problem.
It's time, Joe: Let Bob go. You'll take heat, but nothing you haven't dealt with before: Accusations of partisanship, or that it was an order from "the Brethren", or that legislators were controlling the paper. But Joe, your job isn't about them: It's about your reader, and instilling them with confidence that the DNews is what the New York Times claims to be: All the news that's fit to print. With Bob Bernick as your Political Editor and consistent headliner, you have a long ways to go.
Sincerely,
Brian Maxwell
2 comments:
Thanks for the support.
Leaders rightly get credit or blame. Joe Cannon, nice guy though he is, is either unwilling or unable to lead. I believe he's wringing his hands, worrying about mutiny, were he to impose some discipline; yet, the lack of discipline is mutiny. Made up news is a very big deal; most editors would step in. Not Cannon.
What's interesting about this latest Bernick article is that it is the FIRST ORIGINAL THING HE'S WRITTEN IN OVER 10 YEARS!
So what if he completely fabricated the context and printed false information about elected officials?!! At least it wasn't the same old tired-ass article about lousy lobbyists, corrupt legislators and dumbass jazz tickets!!
Oh, and he still needs to be fired.
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