Letter: Avoid sensationalism

Talk about it

I know and understand that The Dickinson Press wants local news to be on the front page. I feel though that the content of a local news story is on occasion becoming too detailed (for example, the recent story about Sheriff Tuhy). There are all kinds of stories about people out there, but when the stories turn negative, well, there is always the chance that the complete picture can be misconstrued because stories come from a variety of feelings and perspectives.

Personally, I don’t feel we need to know all the mud — it can become superfluous — and it can promulgate gossip. When full disclosure about a person or situation is attempted, I feel an incongruous picture of persons and the subject matter can erupt. The newspaper may then walk down the road to being a tabloid, and sensationalism can dominate the story.

As a result, public awareness of all the issues involved and fairness to parties involved can become obscure and ambiguous. This can therefore be significantly damaging to personal reputations.

Please ask the question whether public castigation and humiliation are really necessary, fair and justified. Sometimes, where there is conflict in a situation, there might be some unknown quandary or enigma occurring at a more personal level with the individuals involved.

I do want to thank you for your coverage of Southwest North Dakota and for all that is packed into our wonderful newspaper at a national and local level. I feel that your dedication and hard work is quite evident in the product we get. I enjoy reading the articles of interest to me.

I also know that you can’t please everyone, and there are times when that happens. I feel that this is one of those times that I personally had to say something.

Craig Kappel, Dickinson

Tags: sheriff tuhy, dickinson press, opinion, sensationalism, tabloid