BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE, MONDAY FEB. 27, 2017) — Much has been made of President Donald Trump‘s pronouncements on “the media,” much of it misreported. President Trump never said the press was the enemy of the people. He said that “fake news” was our enemy, and he is right. As an important aside, no president out our lifetime has taken more of an unjust press beating in his first month than President Trump. Alleged Mainstream Media have published so-called “news” stories that raise multiple questions and suspicions in readers’ minds, a question THE PLANET often keeps in mind when we’re on the other side as writer: Why should the reader believe that we know this?

To support their case against the president’s press relations, the pussyhats pointed to a recent and informal press briefing in which several news outlets were denied seats. Those who know how the Washington press corps works understand this to be routine at such unceremonious news gatherings. In fact, the White House conducts many such press gatherings. Seats are usually ad hoc and limited, the venues small, and attendance limited to those physically present. In any case, however, the White House ensures blanket coverage by allowing “pool” correspondents.

A “pool” reporter not only represents his or her outlet but also all others who were not present in the room. Pool reporting is a time-honored tradition in journalism not because of emotion or other sappy reason, but because it works. The pool reporter covers the event, then after conducts a press briefing for the other media who weren’t present in the room.

Allowing pool coverage, as the White House did recently, actually stands as the opposite of what the “progressives” claim about Trump’s attitude toward the press. “Pooling” resources produces coverage not limited to those in the room. Such coverage belies a respect for news and journalismon Trump’s part, as well as a belief that the news should be as widespread and independent as possible — the opposite of what the president’s critics claim.

Fake ‘Fake News’

A related topic in this discussion is “fake news.” It’s interesting that “fake news” only emerged as a “routine” element of press criticism since the prevalence of digital media. “Fake news” refers to untrue stories that cite make-believe sources presented as fact. Do not confuse this with legitimate stories citing unnamed sources.

As the only area journalist routinely engaged in investigative reporting, THE PLANET often has to use sources who insist on anonymity. Otherwise there would be no way to get the story. That’s because of the fear that exists in political Pittsfield in particular. Make no mistake about it: If you work for city government, certain non-profit agencies, or companies “connected” to the power structure, there is heck to pay if you drop a dime to THE PLANET of other news outlet and your bosses find out who you are. People have lost jobs, been demoted, suffered harassment and worse because they shared what they knew and were caught in the act.

This leads into the other aspect of digital information, this one a boon to reporting and letting sunshine into the dark, slimy recesses. Take the city of Pittsfield — please. Every city department has its share of accomplishments and setbacks, triumphs and scandals, competence and corruption. Each employee in every city department has access to computers, including those outside the city’s networks. THE PLANET has worked hard over the years to cultivate sources in nearly every city department. No reporter has a better “Rolodex” than ours. We operate under the valid assumption that in each of those departments, there are people willing to share what they know.

There are. We don’t need physical meetings in unlit parking garages. It’s now as easy as an e-mail, a text message, or a tweet from a private computer.

Almost always, our sources feed us on the condition of anonymity — that we will not “out” them. THE PLANET has been in the business since 1975, in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Massachusetts. Countless millions of words and sources later, we can proudly say that never once — let that sink in: not one time — have we outed a source or violated a trust. That kind of record drums up a lot of business for an investigative journalist, more, in our case, than we can hope to use without adding staff and making this our full-time gig.

Off and On the Record

In a recent story about the failed roll-out of downtown parking kiosks, THE PLANET said businesses reported a loss of customers and revenue since the debut of the confusing system. How did we know that? We learned it through good, old-fashioned reporting. We based that assertion on personal interviews with at least nine stores, companies, organizations, enterprises, and businesses. All outlets spoke on condition that no names be used, either of companies or people. A couple of businesses, when asked why, directly cited fear of retaliation by the city. Seven reported business “off” or “way off.” Two said it was too early to tell. In our survey, THE PLANET included restaurants, coffee houses, apparel stores, retailers, hotels, launderers, and more.

THE PLANET named one establishment, Otto‘s, with permission, and for our efforts, we heard the misplaced accusation of “fake news.” Our sources were from the trenches — waitresses, counter staff, and others who would be in a position to know about business volume. We were criticized because we didn’t go to the owner, but as any good newshawk knows, often times you get the story by going on the shop floor instead of Rug Row.

On the other hand, we often spike stories because sources will not go on the record. One recent case involved the mayor’s firings of public utilities head Bruce Collingwood and community development director Janet Ackerstrom. We spoke to sources on both sides of this contentious situation and received some volatile charges. We wouldn’t, however, go with the story without attribution. Such was the nature of the material. Sometimes a reporter must be wary of sources who want to use the scribe to get information before the public but who won’t back up their determination and veracity with a name. THE PLANET shall continue to sit on that story until that changes. No change, no story. Those are our terms.

THE PLANET gathers news skeptically, writes it even more questioningly, and edits it incredulously before we publish it. Commentary, of course, has a much lower bar, but even with that, we make sure our opinions are sufficiently supported by truth and based in fact.

And for Bog’s sake, lay off the president. Donald Trump is a newsperson’s dream. Besides, he’s only been on the job a little more than a month. Time for some slack if not accurate coverage properly attributed. Is that too much to ask of the Mainstream Media?

That’s known as a rhetorical question.

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“Our Republic and its press will rise or fall together.” — Joseph Pulitzer

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE.”

LOVE TO ALL.

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