Forums and blogs are powerful tools to let the voiceless be heard. Sometimes the debates and discussions can get heated or ugly. We have to have a high tolerance for debate while at the same time insisting on a certain amount of civility. Our journalists are asked often to identify those who have posted controversial comments. Gannett's policy is to refuse those requests. If a subpoena is served, the law department should be notified and will step in. . . . One caveat: If the post contains a specific threat of violence -- as opposed to a menacing statement -- we will cooperate with or notify authorities.Please make sure that you are carving out time to discuss these policies with your journalists. With today's hectic pace it's more important than ever that everyone understand our company positions. That will make decisions easier when issues pop up.
From an e-mail I got yesterday from Sherry Weinkauf, Clerk of the Village of Weston; she was responding to an open-records request I filed under Wisconsin state law:
I am in receipt of your open records request addressed to Fred Schuster. I am in the process of assembling this information and should have the documents copied and mailed to you by the end of the week. There is a 25 cent per page copying charge. I will send an invoice along with the documents.
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I'm astonished!
ReplyDeleteCorporate urging Wausau to do the right thing.
Will wonders never cease?
Now, aren't we glad that Jim listened and highlighted the concerns of one of his readers?
Chalk another one up for Gannett Blog.
[Standing Ovation}
Well, at least we now know that Kate Marymont still lives.
ReplyDeleteI guess this makes the Wausau incident a disaster.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the fate will be of the publisher who released the information to his elected official friend. Will he be permitted to continue in his role? That publisher should have known better!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the pub who released the information to his elected official friend be permitted to continue in his role? That publisher should have known better!
ReplyDelete@4/28/2009 11:03 AM
ReplyDeleteI wonder what the fate will be of the publisher who released the information to his elected official friend. Will he be permitted to continue in his role? That publisher should have known better!
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A Gannett Corporate suit know better? That right there is downright funny.
I asked Dubow whether Publisher Michael Beck would be reprimanded. Dubow said that was a personnel matter, and refused to say.
ReplyDeleteIs it possible that the Regional EE, Mark Baldwin was the person to give the go ahead to release (or took it upon himself to do so) the information without Becks prior approval?
ReplyDeleteJust wondering who in the chain of command would be ultimately held accountable. If they are at all.
Someone better be held accountable. This is a true blemish on many of us toiling in the trenches in Wisconsin. We sure don't need this black eye.
ReplyDeleteI wish someone from Central Wisconsin would chime in here.
I wonder if Kate Marymont had to get Tara Connell's permission to send that memo.
ReplyDelete