THE CZECH IS IN THE MAIL
Anyone who lived during the 1980s probably remembers the sitcom “The Facts of Life.”
The show’s themesong lyrics say: “You take the good, you take the bad / You take it all and there you have the facts of life.”
In journalism, you pretty much do the same thing.
In a perfect world, we would be able to report on just the good stuff and write positive, uplifting stories about what’s going on. But I’d also like to be thin and have a million dollars, and that’s not happening.
As the newspaper of record for Taylor, Hutto, Thrall, Granger and Coupland, it is our duty and responsibility to report the news that happens in those communities — good and bad.
We have a duty to report on a fight that suspends a baseball game with the same diligence that we would run a story on a pitcher throwing a nohitter.
We are obligated to report on a restaurant closing for two to three days because of a negative health inspection, just as we are obligated to note the same restaurant re-opened two to three days later.
Both actually happened.
Recently, this newspaper posted on social media that a popular restaurant in town was forced to temporarily shut down because of an adverse health inspection. When its doors opened again, we reported that as well on our social media and received plenty of feedback.
I’m told one comment accused us of “closing down” the restaurant. I can attest that neither myself nor any of my fellow employees have the statutory power to shutter a dining establishment.
Last week, a baseball game involving a local high school team was suspended because of a benchclearing brawl among some players. This paper reported on that incident both in print and on social media.
We received some limited criticism, claiming we portrayed the players of one team as aggressors. Out of the photos we had to choose from, we ran the one that seemed the most neutral and showed players from both teams engaged in fisticuffs.
We did not mention the names of any athletes involved in the altercation.
The restaurant’s closure was newsworthy because in addition to being a popular destination, many civic organizations meet there weekly or every two weeks. (Yes, I have eaten at the place and the food is good).
When it comes to a baseball game being suspended because of a fight, we have to report on it because people will wonder why it was called off in the first place.
We do not cover this stuff to make people look bad. We don’t have vendettas against anyone.
As stated earlier, it’s our duty to report the news — good and bad. It’s just a fact of life.
Chlapek is the area editor of the Taylor Press. He can be reached at jason.chlapek@ granitemediapartners. com
