OPINION
I had the pleasure of talking with the students at Aubrey Middle School on Monday about my career and what being a journalist means to me.
The kids were given suggestions of what to ask those of us who participated in Career Exploration Day, including 'What does a typical day look like in your role, and what are the most challenging aspects?'
My answer to the challenging portion? It's hardest when people make up their mind that we're biased before they even read a word we've reported.
Journalism is the hallmark of democracy.
Look at any free country, and you'll find a free press.
Look at any country that heavily restricts the people's freedoms, and you'll see that the right to publish without interference by the government does not exist.
We at the paper cannot control the lens through which others read our work.
If you've been on social media lately (namely Pilot Point Idle Chatter), you might see that I even get the credit and blame for letters to the editor that I do not recruit nor do I write about videos or posts on Facebook I haven't even seen.
Reporting what people do is not persecuting them.
Allowing people to have a voice to express their frustration is not siding with
anyone.
To that end, I published every letter to the editor I received this week, and I have no record historically of denying any letters unless they went to my junk folder on my email, were from people who had submitted several letters in close succession, were far above the word count limit or contained what could be considered libelous accusations.
Even with the last two points, I typically kick those letters back to the person who has submitted them and give them the opportunity to rewrite the piece for consideration.
People saying I deny letters to the editor are just doing one of the things they do best—spreading rumors about our business.
Sharing information and facts and allowing people to make up their own minds without pressure regarding what they should pick is the hallmark of what I have done at the Post-Signal for the seven years I have worked here and will continue to do for the duration of my time at this publication.
The people who criticize the paper the loudest either don't read the newspaper or don't want you to.
As I told the kids at Aubrey Middle School, I love this profession and can't imagine doing anything else, naysayers and all.
Happy holidays, everyone! I hope it's a peaceful time for you and yours, no matter who you are.
Abigail Allen is the Editor & Publisher of the Post-Signal. She can be reached at [email protected].
