When Public Information Becomes Publicized

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A letter writer to the Janesville Gazette thought the newspaper overstepped their bounds when they referenced an informant in a prostitution case involving a local strip-club by her real name.

JG Letter Excerpt:
I give this informant credit for stopping these illegal acts. But why would anyone want to give information to the police when it is going to be publicized by the news as to who the informant is? We need more informants.

I agree, particularly since the case is still wide open. But the Janesville Police Department was sharp enough to use a code name for the informant in statements made to the press. She was known as JP144 until the Gazette thought it better to ignore such trivial police nonsense. Earlier, they referred to the actions taken by the informant with this title Screamin Worker Squealed. Classy.

After the letter the paper offered this explanation.

JG Letter Excerpt:
EDITOR'S NOTE: We used the information because it was included on the criminal complaint, which is a public document available to anyone, including all people eventually charged with crimes and their attorneys. Given that, we saw no reason to withhold those details.

But just because this information is a public document available to anyone, not anyone owns a newspaper. The Gazette cherry-picks public information to whatever fits their agenda and goals. For instance, in a recent county race, they deliberately withheld public statements from an affidavit of a whistleblower in a controversial case because……… the whistleblower happened to be their pick for the office. This information was not flattering but offered history of the candidate voters might want to know. Given that, they saw good reason to withhold those details.

But its much worse than this, you have to begin to wonder where their sense of community cooperation is regarding the wishes of authorities who are not making political decisions or statements, but just people doing their jobs.

In addition, Thursday’s Gazette ran a statement from Halbach’s attorney denying recent allegations that they organized or condoned prostitution despite the fact that police have not made those allegations.

JG Excerpt:
And police have not alleged that Jim and Rebecca Halbach, the clubs' owners, or Kevin Weaver, the clubs' manager, organized or condoned prostitution.

So what gives then? And even though no charges have been filed at the time of this posting, some people including the police find it odd that the Halbachs have to publicize their innocence at all.

JG Excerpt:
"So the public claim of innocence seems a bit curious," Moore said.

Why? What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Well the reality is, the Halbachs ARE being tried by the Janesville Gazette in the public arena with their stories of the allegations well before charges are considered. In Wednesday’s Sound Off column was this little beauty.

JG Sound Off Excerpt:
If you were to look in the dictionary for the term “losers” it wouldn’t surprise me if you found a picture of Jim and Rebecca Halbach. They are a disgrace to our community.

Remember, this has to get past the person collecting the calls and then approved by at least two editors of the newspaper. Whether people feel this way or not is not the issue, its whether it is fitting and proper for a newspaper to allow these flame-baiting comments at all. Apparently they think so.

I certainly don’t expect everyone to agree with my political views, but if there’s one piece of advice here that you should seriously consider is this. When a reporter wants to include you in on a story, ask them what Javon Bea from Mercy Hospital asked. Ask “How will I be represented?” and then say “I want a signed statement giving me full control of the final draft before it goes to print, otherwise adios.” If they refuse, at least you’ll still have your dignity.