MEDIA GETS IT WRONG…..AGAIN!

MEDIA GETS IT WRONG…..AGAIN!

(Scott Bauer, Associated Press)

(Green Bay Press Gazette, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

(Aisha Answered, Frazer Chronicle)

It never ceases to amaze me, all the hub-bub, all the rhetoric, all the posturing, and all the drum beating, and the printed word, newspapers still get the message to readers wrong. And it’s kind of like a two headed monster (newspaper reporting), undoubtedly many, many people get their new in the printed forum, sure the daily is in demise, fewer and fewer copies are being sold, but people still rely on their morning newspapers and a cup of coffee.

 

The two headed monster comes into play whenever there is a controversial issue…..like the proposed iron mining operation in Northern Wisconsin. I wrote a while back that protesters opposed to the project needed to be incredibly organized…..and stay on track, and be peaceful in their activity…..until it was time to change tactics. At that time, the ranks of the protesters will include only those folks who are willing to do whatever to win their case.

 

Since the beginning of this proposed mining operation on almost six sections of ground, (a section of land includes 640 acres,) the press has kept a weathered eye on the developing story. There was a crescendo of activity in June when some protesters lost their cool. I read with interest the reporting, and I knew right then that the Republican held capitol would be taking some sort of action to ensure that the project moved forward.

 

The reporting by both the Madison Capitol Times, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel was pretty much straight forward, unbiased, and reported only the story. That reporting of the story is one head of the monster; it keeps an issue in the glare of public awareness…..until the story no longer serves the newspaper.

 

The second head of the monster is that at times there is inaccurate facts, figures, or slant on a story, and this is by far the very worst of news reporting today, whether in the printed, radio, television, or internet source,  new source’s need to hold to a higher court when reporting the news…..and sometimes that just doesn’t happen.

A CASE IN POINT

I won’t bore you with information from my past blog about the inner workings of the mining industry, prospective jobs, and tax advantages for a state. I also won’t waste your time with the details of how a mining company, any kind of mining company maneuvers land owners, local, state and Federal Government agency’s…..because they do.

 

What I will talk about for a minute is a misconception that was reported in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In a big bold headline on the front page Bill saves mine owners $900,000 the sub-headline reads, Measure allows far lower payment along with limits on public access.

 

Here’s where the convolution comes in folks, the savings to the mine company doesn’t save $900,000, the state of Wisconsin loses the possibility of collecting $900,000. Gogebic Taconite was never going to pay the going rate for taxes…..no mining company in the United States pays the going rate of taxes; they always get a tax abatement. How can be a savings something that you were never going to pay anyways?

 

Of course it’s not just the mining companies that are afforded this cut; most other big industrial concerns get the same treatment from government…..and the local workers as well. It’s why there are environmental groups around, and why in many instances they are looked at as bizarre activists.

Media needs to get it right, and although they’ll still be a two headed monster, capable of human error, their reporting on an issue will inform the public in an accurate and non-partisan atmosphere. It is imperative that people today be aware.

Mining companies, metal and non-metal all operate the same way…..they seek what is best for them, and never, never worry about the environment, or the safety of their workers. Mining companies calculate each and every move that they make…..that simply can’t be trusted…..and the media needs to pass this information along to the public…..because it’s true!

 

HAVE A NICE DAY!