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Letter from the Editor
I don't know whether to be angry or embarrassed. Angry that a member of my profession would do such a stupid thing. Embarrassed because I know that some people in this lovely town agree with the guy.
"The guy" is Todd Frantz, the relatively new publisher of the News-Leader, a twice-weekly print publication with offices just a few blocks from my home office. My publication, the Fernandina Observer, is published online at least once a day and more often when need be. The two technologies put us in two different communication worlds. But lately, there's much more than technology to separate us.
The separation is about journalistic ethics. Note that I said ethics, not philosophies. What Todd Frantz has done is deeply unethical.
First he ordered his newsroom staff to publish not a word about PRIDE, which is an organization that supports people whose sexual orientations are not in the majority. I know many of its members who are of the majority orientation but think every member of our democracy should be treated equally. When our country was founded, it wasn't quite that way. But over the years — and particularly in recent years — our society has opened up to the idea that everybody means EVERYBODY.
I haven't met Mr. Frantz, but I know his camp. I've known it since I was a kid growing up in the South. I was surrounded by little versions of Mr. Frantz. But mostly I was surrounded by books. I got an adult library card at the age of 10. Those grown-up books led me to the idea of EVERYBODY. So Mr. Frantz, I don't know you, but I know your type very well.
Frankly, I feel sorry for you. You have a big enough set of brains to become a publisher, but you haven't let your brains learn about EVERYBODY. Too bad. A good, ethical journalist knows that this is a big democracy we live in and that all but a very few of its members deserve to be treated and written about with respect. That includes the members of PRIDE.
So I'll set aside my temptations to express anger or embarrassment about your behavior. The fact that you had to be shamed into letting your newspaper publish a late and lame acknowledgement of the annual PRIDE event tells the story well.
Now we know the man we are dealing with.
But maybe I'm wrong about you. If you can summon up the courage to explain yourself, we'll give you front-page space in the Observer to do that. How's that for including you in EVERYBODY?
Comments
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PaulaM
Bravo! A free press is no longer a free press if it only prints what the publisher condones and refuses that which he doesn’t. If this “guy “ doesn’t want to do that he should get out of the newspaper business and just get himself a podcast. Don’t take funding from the public if he’s going to sanitize what he prints or outright refuses allow coverage of events .
Thursday, June 12, 2025 Report this
KStadelman
Today's national political/philosophical battle in a nutshell! Thank you, Mr. Phillips for coming down on the side of the rational. At a time when the whole world is being put to a stress test, standing up for allowing everyone into the ark to navigate through the coming storm safely seems the only honorable response. Thank you.
Thursday, June 12, 2025 Report this
JayKayne
How ironic the News Leader would demonize members of the PRIDE community at the same time CNN broadcast a live Broadway performance of "Good Night and Good Luck." In a local performance of this play about the need for the news media to challenge ignorance and hatred, there might be a scene in which Mike Phillips calls out News-Leader editor Todd Frantz, "Sir, have you no decency!"
Thursday, June 12, 2025 Report this
brucebaugh
Perfect, Mike! It's a very professional and appropriate response. Thank you.
Thursday, June 12, 2025 Report this
Hibdon1998
Thank you to the Observer for first reporting on the other publication’s lack of reporting on such a beautiful, inclusive and incredibly fun event. I am volunteered to support Pride as an ally for this event and I am so glad I did. It was a fantastic event with wonderful sponsors, fantastic vendors and food trucks, great music and most of all, beautiful people from near and far and from every walk of life. EVERYONE, from other volunteers, Pride members, vendors, law enforcement and festival attendees were incredibly friendly, welcoming, inclusive and FUN! Thank you Mr. Phillips for leading the Observer and thank you for speaking up about the other publication and their lack of journalistic ethics and diversity. Continue fighting the good fight, this community needs you!
Thursday, June 12, 2025 Report this
Schenkelgreg
The actions by Mr. Frantz are disappointing as well as unethical. Having worked in communications, PR, etc. for many years, I was fortunate to deal with journalists and media persons who presented the truth without letting their personal bias enter into the reporting. Unfortunately the world has changed—very sad.
Friday, June 13, 2025 Report this