Editorial: Transparency and Truth

On September 26th the Beacon Dispatch learned that we were under investigation by our Internet Service Provider (ISP) for possibly violating our Acceptable Use Policy. According to our ISP someone had contacted them stating that the Beacon Dispatch website, and more specifically last month’s editorial, included anonymous postings that were, “…offensive, defamatory, and malicious,” and that they wanted our website shut down. The person also told our ISP that they were “… receiving phone calls at home and worried about their physical well being because of the site,” and that they were, “seeking legal advice on suing for libel.”

The investigation ended, quite literally, in a matter of minutes. The Dispatch site was reviewed by the ISP’s management and lawyers, we were issued an apology, and business proceeded as usual; the Dispatch website never saw a second of downtime.

We invite scrutiny. We think transparency is a requirement for any individual or entity working in a public capacity, whether we’re talking about a major news outlet, a local newspaper, politicians, police departments, or any other individuals or businesses whose actions, policies, or practices impact our lives. We include ourselves among those that need to be scrutinized.

We also believe that public debate, especially about issues that affect our community, is not only important, it’s necessary. Which is why we provide several forums for you to voice your opinions in print and on the web. Open debate is at the very foundations of our democracy and we’re proud to provide a venue.

To whomever felt it necessary to have our website shut down rather than engage in the debate, we’re sorry. Not for raising the question and sponsoring the debate, but that you didn’t feel comfortable confronting the issue in the same arena within which the issue was raised. We will continue to ask questions, raise issues, and sponsor debate. We only hope that next time you’ll be willing to come along for the ride.

Comments

[Concerned Citizen]

Dear Beacon Dispatch,

Keep up the great work. It seems apparent that whomever it is that tried such a diabolical scheme to shut you down might in "fact" have something to hide.

The Dispatch seems to ask all the right questions and seems to be looking in the right direction as far as accountability or a lack thereof, so keep the heat on.

That person or those people in the headlines that fear the truth being told should! Especially if they have something to hide. I am an avid reader of your print and internet publications and I think you are right on target.

Again, keep up the great work and keep the pressure on.

The First Amendment rocks!!!

Truly,
A Concerned Citizen

[Joe Reporter]

I do not always agree with the approach of the Dispatch, however I totally support a free press and stand behind the Dispatch 100% on this one. There are members of the city council and school board who do not want the people to know the truth and this attempt to shut down the web site is nothing more than that. The old beacon high school should be taken back and sold... period.

[B. Eakins]

It is amazing what you see crawling around when you shine light into forgotten corners. Those creatures seen fleeing from the light are most likely the ones who complain about their actions or inactions being exposed. They value their freedom to speak but oppose those who would speak against them or even just report their actions and make it possible for the public to scrutinize them.
Keep up the good work and keep the information coming so we can properly examine and judge our public employees (elected or otherwise).

[John Steele]

I applaud the staff of the dispatch for providing a forum in which people can openly discuss and debate issues which affect all of us. Whomever felt that this website should be shut down was doing a disservice to everyone who visits and posts here. The dispatch is performing a service to the public with this site. There is no city council or school board member limiting our time to speak up or attempting to silence individual speech. To the Jeff Battersby and the entire staff of the dispatch I say Thank You! and please keep up the good work.

[billp]

my hat is off to the dispatch for standing up. but having questions about a person and and saying so that some one should be looked at is not slander

[What A Joke]

The dispatch should focus on the issues that it is too afraid to get into. Such as the fire department... hint hint

[Jeffery Battersby]

I have no idea what you mean when you say that we're, "too afraid to get into," the fire department issue. But you're welcome to contact me with anything you think we should look at. You can reach me at jeff@beacondispatch.com or call me at 845-704-7224.

[c vesuvius]

I'll add my voice of support for the Dispatch self-policing its online forum. Just because the Dispatch edits its reader's words is not an excuse to file a formal complaint. I don't think that responsibly monitoring a website violates freedom of expression, freedom of the press or the first amendment. The Beacon Dispatch was quite proper when it excised inappropriate and libelous comments from what must have been disturbed postings. Nobody should complain about those kinds of restrictions. These offenses must happen in online forums all the time, and the Dispatch has every right to censor abusive commentary.

[Lisa Williams]

The Communications Decency Act actually gives the operators of an Internet forum much more wide latitude to edit submitted material -- and provides much wider protection from being sued for the comments offered by a reader.

However, what the CDA gives the DMCA takes away, as it makes it very easy to file "takedown notices" with the ISP of a site. Even when many of these are frivolous, it's still a hassle to deal with them.

Keep up the good work.

[Lisa Williams]

Oh, and speaking in terms of the law, Jeff has every right to remove or prevent any post he wants. The First Amendment says that the government can't censor you -- but Jeff runs this place and he's under no obligation to let others talk trash on his dime. If others feel stifled, let them get their own weblog. At places like blogger.com, they can get one for free -- and on their own blog they can make the rules.

[Vincent]

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