An open letter to Sam Biddle, Gawker.com reporter whose choice of words is below a standard previously held for news reporting, I understand that the internet is not held to standards used for print or broadcast media but some sort of standard need to be shown for individuals calling themselves journalists. The letter was sent on March 14, 2016 but I have not received a response. I am publicly revealing the letter under belief that I am not the only one who feels this way.
Here is a link to the article I responded to:
http://gawker.com/ted-cruz-please-help-us-we-have-no-idea-how-to-stop-d-1763284642
Let me know what you think.
Dear Sam Biddle;
After reading your plea to Ted Cruz, I wonder how legitimate your writing credentials are. Writers are artists whose tools are words. I see the words you have written, I get the tone and the frustration. I don’t understand why you feel you cannot get your point across without using profanity.
Before the advent of the internet age, there was not a lot of opportunity to get your work published in a raw state. Standards for newspapers and periodicals were created and monitored to allow the display of high quality writing in any venue. I write this missive to you at a time when the very public figure about whom you write shows disdain for formal speech and as a result, many are frustrated, appalled and insulted.
I recognize that speech is fully protected by the Constitution. I only object to the inclusion of words that used to be considered colorful in the days of Lenny Bruce but now are becoming far too commonplace. Yes, I could avoid reading the gawker page, but that is contrary to your purpose isn’t it? I am asking that “we” conform to the seemingly sappy notion that people ‘be’ (exhibit) the change that they want to see in the world.
Perhaps I ask too much,
G. Hayes
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