Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for September 26, 2008 CAIRO GOVERNMENT RULING

Okay, I've been accused of editorializing...

Guilty as charged!

But, hey, that's what editors do.

However, I DO believe in separating facts from opinions...and try to adhere to that practice.

Going a step further, I have TOTALLY refrained from editorializing on the "City of Cairo" page...there is already enough emotion "out there"...the situation doesn't need my "two cents".

But...

You knew the "but" was coming didn't you!

The lead article in the September 25th edition of The Cairo Citizen blatantly violates the underlying principle of objective, responsible journalism...of separating "fact" and "opinion". (At least) the opening two paragraphs of the article below are "over the top"...clearly the "opinion" of the writer of the article...not the "fact" of the ruling. Those two paragraphs cast doubt on the remainder of the article...which parts are "quotes from the decision" or at least objective paraphrases...and which parts are the further "opinion" of the writer.

In short, this article, instead of reporting a court ruling and informing a divided community of an anticipated "judicial ruling" so that the parties could put the past behind and move on, instead takes a "rubbing it in" tone...a "nah, nah, nah, nah, nah" position.

IN MY OPINION...The Cairo Citizen did itself and the community a disservice in its presentation of the ruling.

That said, below is the article...

From the September 25, 2008, edition of The Cairo Citizen