THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408120006
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: LYNN FEIGENBAUM
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
What did earnest readers have on their minds on this sunny midsummer week? Mostly national health care and Oceanfront parking regulations, Oliver North's gun permit and Tipper Gore in Rwanda.
I'm going to pick up on the last two issues.
North first. A handful of readers took us to task for the story last weekend about a judge denying the Senate candidate a gun permit.
The Aug. 6 story was basically a straight account of the judge's decision. It was a straight account, that is, with this exception:
Just a few paragraphs from the end, the story compares ``North - Ollie North'' to the fictional James Bond because of their common preference for a Walther PPK, one of the three guns in the candidate's ``personal arsenal.''
``Is this news writing?'' asked one caller. ``This article should be on the editorial page.''
Nick De Dominick of Norfolk also objected to the arsenal reference. ``An arsenal is a place to store or manufacture guns,'' he said, ``not a description of three guns.''
It didn't surprise me to get calls. When Oliver North's name is in a headline, we usually do. The newspaper is ``biased'' if the story isn't perceived as positive or if the story is positive and isn't on the front page.
For example, reader Ashton Davis of Norfolk criticized putting former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder's campaign kickoff on the front page Tuesday while ``burying'' North's Norfolk visit - with GOP presidential hopeful Jack Kemp - on an inside page.
``What's the logic?'' asked Davis.
Actually, there is some logic. ``The (Wilder) story was more of a takeout on how his campaign is different now than when he was running for governor, more analytical,'' said planning editor Brian Stallcop, ``whereas the North story was just another daily campaign story.''
OK, I'll buy that, though some mention could have been made on the front page that North and Kemp had been in town. And I thought display of the North gun story was appropriate - bottom of the MetroNews front. But the flip remarks were not.
Reporter Steve Stone, who wrote the story, halfway agreed. He said he winced the next day when he read his word ``arsenal.''
``It's not the technically correct word,'' he said, ``and three weapons of that nature would not make an arsenal even if placed in a room."
But Stone said he had no qualms with the 007 reference. ``It was humorous, yes, but not at North's expense. It was not insulting or demeaning and it was not expressive of any viewpoint.
``I would have included the same line had Sen. Robb been in the same situation, of course modified as `Robb. . . Chuck Robb.' ''
I'll agree to disagree. Humor is an important ingredient in a newspaper but it didn't belong in this story. Save the wisecracks for a column or editorial.
TIPPER: A PHOTO OP? The last time Tipper Gore made the news (before becoming Second Lady, that is), she was objecting to obscene lyrics on rock albums.
Now she was in Rwanda, feeding the starving at a refugee camp. How can you fault such caring?
Well, two of our readers did. They branded it a ``photo op'' after seeing TV coverage and the big color photo of Gore on our front page Tuesday.
Said C.R. Whitener of Virginia Beach: ``If that wasn't a photo op, who are those two dudes standing behind her with their hands in their pockets? Could they be Secret Service men? Or are they more `victims' who are lined up waiting for Ms. Gore to have her picture taken holding a cup of water to their lips?''
What about all the legitimate relief efforts going on there, asked another reader. ``If she were a nurse and really helping, that would be different, but she's only there for two days. The public is being misled.''
What a cynical world! Well, there's no question that we have a photo opportunity here. But I don't think the concept was invented by the Clinton administration.
I'll even defend the Tipper photo. Her presence in Rwanda is a signal from the administration that the Rwanda plight has our attention. And if it helps keep the spotlight on this tragedy, then perhaps it's an opportune photo op.
MEMO: Call the public editor at 446-2475, or send a computer message to
lynn(AT)infi.net.
by CNB