A journalist looks at rights in conflict - news analysis, 5-12-1988

The River Reporter
Thursday, May 12, 1988
NEWS ANALYSIS

A journalist looks at rights in conflict

By TOM RUE

Journalists sometimes find themselves in the uncomfortable position of becoming part of a story about which they are writing. For example, as a citizen of Damascus Township I recently took part in sponsoring a local referendum at the same time as I was routinely covering township meetings for this newspaper.

Some have raised a question whether it is wise, or ethical, for a journalist to be active in civic affairs. Since government in this country is prohibited from making any laws abridging the freedom of the press, this question is necessarily a matter left to the individual conscience of the writer.

In making such decisions, sometimes it helps to reflect on one's heritage.

Along the shores of this Delaware River lived my ancestor, Benjamin Rue, a soldier in the American War for Independence, attached to the First Pennsylvania Battalion. Later a captain in the Navy of Pennsylvania, his 44-man gunboat was sunk by the British on October 11, 1776 while engaged under the service of Col. "Mad" Anthony Wayne, after whom my home county is named.

Others of my ancestors also served their consciences, including Quakers in 17th century Maryland who refused to fight or swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown; women and men on both sides of the American Civil War; Irish immigrants seeking a better life, and fleeing the Bolshevik revolution for refuge and religious tolerance in Palestine and the United States.

I recently wrote a letter to several area newspapers: I feel myself called upon to honor this heritage by refusing to bow to the tactics of threats and intimidation by a small group of local hate-mongers and liars who flail blindly in the dark at the unknown.

One river opponent became quite exercised in expression the exception he took to this statement at the May 2nd Damascus Township meeting, apparently indicating he felt his foot size had been closely approximated, if the shod did not fit precisely. Clearly, neither he nor anyone else had been singled out by my words, but this man chose to identify himself with the description.

Another resident at the meeting twice asked the supervisors to take official action barring me from writing about future public sessions, based on a report of some unkind words he spoke at a previous meeting about a township official. Fortunately for the Constitution and the township, the supervisors wisely declined to follow the man's unusual suggestion.

At an April 29th meeting in Narrowsburg, in which I took no part but did report, another man hissed: "Slimeball! I'd like to get you outside."

Due to the overtly threatening nature of this gentleman's statement, he was quietly advised that it is a felony in the State of New York to assault a peace officer.

Perhaps he was not aware, but in addition to being a reporter I am also a human being, and it is not unusual for people to have more than one function. For example, I am also a probation officer, president of a community center, an adjunct professor at a community college, and other things. But all he saw was someone he disagreed with, and apparently therefore hated.

Another person, at an Upper Delaware Council meeting on May 5th, threatened to inform my probation superiors that I "actually reside in Pennsylvania." She was apparently under the mistaken impression that a residency requirement exists, and she could get me fired from my job if I continued to publicly express opinions contrary to hers.

I am still attempting to understand what makes otherwise respectable adults behave in such a manner.

In contrast to the few unpleasant experiences, I have also witnessed and been part of many more which have been highly positive and uplifting In April 1996, for example, I covered a public meeting in Callicoon where it was announced that the youth center was in danger of closing, but was maintained by public response.

Among the most enjoyable was a profile of Grandma Betty Schaffer of the Wayne County Group Home, where I worked as a houseparent.

Unquestionably the most personally disquieting news story I ever covered was a murder/suicide of two lovers who lived locally. At the scene, talking with ambulance workers with who me I was friends, I wondered why reporters bother with any of it. For the readers? Sometimes I still wonder.

Most people have things they do because they enjoy them and things which they don't like, but do anyway because something inside drives them.

Before anything, we were born free citizens. Most us intend to retain that status. I appreciate the efforts of others to preserve their own independence. At the same time, I also maintain my right to disagree with what they say or write. "If a million people say a foolish ting, it is still a foolish thing," wrote Anatole France.

Americans are known for being of rebellious stock and character, yet at the same time many are bound up on a love for freedom and the interdependent web of existence. Some have resolved to continue their personal struggle against error, deceit, hatred and intolerance for as long as life allows.

We owe it to ourselves and our descendants to take part in the process and not forsake the traditional values we place upon honesty, good faith dialogue, and fairness.

As long as journalists remain human citizens, we share the rights and responsibilities of other Americans to abide the dictates of conscience and help preserve these traditions.