An OCT Editorial:
We make our living with words. But, at times like these, our tool box doesn’t contain any instruments that adequately convey the myriad emotions we’re dealing with.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you?
That phrase is quickly becoming an almost meaningless cliché, a knee-jerk response to the increasing number of gun violence incidents today such as Thursday’s murder of five newspaper staff members
The Capital Gazette (in Annapolis, Maryland) identified Jarrod Ramos, a local man, as the suspect in a shooting that left five of its staff dead on Thursday.
The shooting was “a targeted attack” by a suspect motivated by a vendetta against the newspaper, police said.
Ramos, 38, has been charged with five counts of first-degree murder.
In 2012, Ramos sued the newspaper over what he called “a defamatory article” about him. He lost the case.
Thursday’s massacre is a stark reminder to journalists everywhere – as well as anyone posting on social media – words are powerful and sometimes, there are repercussions.
Just about every reporter has had feedback from the public regarding something they’ve written. At times, it can be negative or even downright hostile.
Years ago, a local reporter did an article about Off Track Betting that included a photo that showed the silhouette of a man placing a bet. Someone called the office, claiming to be the man in the photo. He told the reporter if he didn’t remove the photo he’d “beat him within an inch of his life.” The photo, in fact, was of the reporter himself.
A city reporter’s story was taken out of context. A reader sent him an extremely threatening letter. The very next day he sent another letter saying please disregard the first letter. He was “having a bad day” and after re-reading the article “everything was fine.”
Earlier this year, someone made a threat against Oswego County Today.com. It was so credible that the Oswego County Sheriff’s Office called to warn us about the possible danger.
Threats today can be provoked by anything, including an innocent happy birthday announcement.
The threats no longer involve fists – but firearms.
So, what do you say following an attack such as the carnage at the Capital Gazette?
Perhaps the newspaper said it best.
Friday’s opinion page was blank, except for a note from the remaining staff — “today we are speechless.”
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