Call to Action: Media Distort Vilsack Funeral Attendance

This
came in from Dean Rapid Response – Iowa and they asked Blog for Iowa to
post it.  Please take action against this blatant media distortion.

Check out this article
from the May 11 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier. The Courier piece
is the AP version of a similar Des Moines Register article
written by Thomas Beaumont and Lynn Campbell.

The
Courier title, “Governor Avoids Funerals of Iowa War Dead” is
inflammatory and does not accurately reflect the content of the story.
(The Register's title is “Governor Avoids Soldiers' Funerals,” which I
feel is equally manipulative).

The
Des Moines Register did its own research, providing background on how
other governors were handling the situation.  The AP piece run in
The Courier provided no such context.

If
you'd like, please write or call either or both papers politely letting
the Register know that the title of the article does not match the
content. The same goes for the Courier, also pointing out that failing
to provide background information in the article affects the meaning
and point of the story. Let's keep them honest by letting them know we
notice these things.

Here's the to Des Moines Register story.

Please use your own words, but here are some points for ideas:

Use of an inflammatory headline that does not reflect the substance of the article is irresponsible journalism.

Use of the word “avoid” implies Gov. Vilsack is being evasive or dishonest.

The way Gov. Vilsack chooses to honor the fallen is in line with practices of other governors, both Democrats and Republicans.

Addresses:

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier: newsroom@wcfcourier.com or call (800) 798-1717

Des Moines Register: letters@dmreg.com or call (800) 532-1455

Thanks!

Trish Nelson, Dean Rapid Response – Iowa
Co-Coordinator