Katers: Life And Death Issues Need More Coverage
Note: The following letter appeared in the December 13, 2002 Green Bay Press Gazette. Author Rebecca Katers is Executive Director of the Clean Water Action Council. She also maintains the Fox River Watch website.
200-word limit on Forum impossible
GREEN BAY — The Press-Gazette’s decision to limit Forum letters to 200 words further devalues a poor quality newspaper. True news articles get skimpier each year, while sports takes 10 pages and we suffer front-page features about toilets at Packer Castle, rosary beads and golf. When I subscribe, I want to read news and community dialog, not mind-numbing diversions about lifestyle, entertainment, murder and sports.
The Forum is the most interesting aspect of the paper because it shows real public opinions, not the public manipulation that Gannett Corp. calls news. (Prime examples: Gannett’s blatantly pro-Republican campaign coverage and partisan attacks on Sen. Dave Hansen.)
It’s impossible to write adequately about complex environmental issues in 200 words. Details are needed for sound arguments. Simply stating a brief opinion adds nothing to the debate.
The Press-Gazette has one environmental reporter (but 10 sports reporters), then assigns him to cover toy safety and other side issues. Citizens need the ability to fill in gaps with Forum letters. These are life-and-death issues with high economic importance — air, water, soil, energy, food, health, etc.
Is this 200-word limit another Gannett method for controlling public opinion, by limiting public access to information and debate?
Rebecca Katers