CONGRATULATIONS on publishing another thoughtful, delving article, “Berkich Lashes at ‘Greedy’ Shareholders,” last Friday. I note that aside from the words “in a letter he addressed to the lawmaker but coursed through Marianas Cable Vision,” the entire article is nothing more than a reprint, through paraphrase and direct quote, of Mr. Berkich’s letter. No questions are posed to Mr. Berkich, there is no evidence of any attempt to question those libeled in the letter, and no independent research was apparently performed to verify the accuracy of the allegations you have put to print. While you may have perfected the art of reprinting letters and press releases, I’m not sure that qualifies as journalism.
Variety has become a veritable open-mike night for Rep. Stanley Torres and other politicians. How convenient— Representative Torres gets to make “speeches” on the floor of the Legislature that may be covered by legislative immunity (in an attempt to avoid the slander lawsuits that would presumably be brought if he made such comments on the record to a journalist), and Variety prints his comments wholesale, hoping to avoid libel lawsuits because you are simply quoting the good representative. (See, for example, “Sue Bank of Saipan Officials,” June 27; and “Torres Slams Castro,” June 14.) I guess the only people who lose out are those unfairly maligned in those “articles,” and your entire readership, who are treated to half truths and lies, courtesy of Variety.
Variety is a member of the Associated Press. I’m sure you’re aware that the AP subscribes to the code of ethics of the Associated Press Managing Editors Association, which states in relevant part, “The good newspaper is fair, accurate, honest, responsible, independent, and decent. Truth is its guiding principle.” Allowing your newspaper to be used by certain individuals and special interests as a bully pulpit to further their own agendas is none of those things.
Please take more seriously your responsibilities to our community and to your profession.KYLE L. CALABRESE
Kagman, Saipan
