Local politics, the county, and the world, as viewed by Tammy Maygra
Tammy's views are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bill Eagle, George Bush's family or the St. Helens Update See Standard Disclaimer.

Without a free and open press, regimes tend toward abuses of all kinds

A Free Press

I was going to write an article this week on health care in this country but instead decide to address a letter written to the update last week from some one posting as Sky and Wallace. While I value your opinion of the update and support your right to voice your opinion. I absolutely disagree with issues that you have brought up in your letter.

As far as blaming Corsiglia for the posts that we receive on the update as being written by Corsiglia that is absolutely not true. It is true how ever, there are many people that use nom de plume, these people have the right to write letters, barbs etc without the fear of reprisal from those folks that they are writing about. There are also many people who do use their real names when posting and have been subject to reprimanded by public officials, corporate heads and various speculators. I can personally assent to this statement. While, Sky and Wallace makes issue with the use of pen names by other authors, in fact, Sky and Wallace also use's a pen name. Why criticize others for the same issue? In my book, your comment reeks of being a hypocrite. In which I have found to be the case of many of the updates critics.
Your comments about the update not being fair and balanced, the Update only publishes letters, barbs, which have been sent for publication, how can the update publish information that they do not receive? That would not be ethical would it? Bill Eagle prides his site as being open to all comments, complimenting or not, differing opinions is when the Fairness Doctrine is pertinent. If you feel that the update is publishing one sided, please send in your opposing comments they will be published.
Your next comment, about porn on Corsiglia's computer has reinforced my belief on your apparent lack of comprehending the Spotlights article, and has made possible for you to broadcast false information on an individual. Thus shows your lack of credibility.
Your statement  "Many in this county find it curious that you have never publicly corrected Ms, Maygra when she uses the title, Reporter to the St Helens Update. Is the Update a news source that adheres to journalistic standards and protocols?"
I would like to say that many in the county find it curious that some does not consider Ms. Maygra a reporter. Oregon Newspapers and News Media Guide list the Update as a news source along with the South County Spotlight, and the Clatskanie Chief, the Chronicle is not listed, granted I do not get paid for reporting on meetings, granted, I do not report every week on regular meetings. BUT I do report on some, not all meetings that I attend, I do give factual information on these meetings, not my opinion. My reporting on meetings is simple; if I like the issue or feel that other people might be interested than I write about it. If I feel like reporting on the meeting I do, If not I don't. After all, it is not my job; I report as a public service for those who cannot attend meetings, and in my spare time. After all the other print media do not always follow every issue nor do they attend every meeting, heck I have attended some night meetings where there was no other reporters there but me. So what!
I personally could care less what Sky and Wallace's opinion of me is, what I do care about, is the people in the community and getting information out to the many people who do read Tammy's Take.

Remember, freedom of speech is not limited to the wealthy or influential.
But guaranteed to all.
The Update is legitimate, like it or not.

Tammy


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