There’s a really big news story in Berks County, but the Reading Eagle editors don’t know enough basic journalism to tell the reporters whom to ask about it.
A U.S. federal judge ruled Friday that the government must promptly release immigrant children who are being held at family detention centers across the country – including the one in Berks.
Major national and international media have been watching this.
The Reading Eagle’s response to the ruling did get front-page, Sunday-morning play.
But what editor would accept such a non-story, much less allow it to run? It has no essential facts and uncovers nothing new.
The reporter has two lame-o sources – a federal ICE spokeswoman who won’t comment [they never do.] And a lawyer activist who disagrees with a prepared federal statement, although we’re told it’s “a prepared statement unrelated to the court case.”
Why not ask the elected officials who are truly accountable -- the county commissioners? What are their plans? Do the right thing? Defy the federal government? Woo-hoo! Shut it down by October? How would that affect the budget?
A real newspaper would find out what our well-paid leaders think. Why not run it by county COO Carl Geffken while you’re working those newsroom phones?
The Eagle had a story in July when the judge first decided:
“The ruling was hailed as a victory, but its immediate implications for the nearly 100 detainees being held at the Berks County Residential Center, a facility that has produced millions of dollars for county government, remains unknown.”[sic]
Why do they remain unknown?
Because for some reason Eagle editors allow reporters not to ask the commissioners!
Another editorial lapse: I’ve read the stories I could find, and none have a nut-graf of required background information on the topic – the center’s address, when the county opened it, and how much the federal government pays. Why not nail down a couple of facts for us faithful subscribers?
The story about children indefinitely and unlawfully locked up in Berks shared Sunday’s A1 with the annual back-to-school-story, in this case 2,190 words of people telling the reporter how hard they work at their jobs. He writes it all down and it all gets printed.
“Kindergarten classrooms tend to be busy places, both in activity during the school year and decor. There are posters and markers and special bins and brightly colored books and all sorts of other things filling the walls and desks and counters.
“And they don't get there by magic.
“So on an August morning, [teacher] Dries slowly began the process again. She first pulled out box after box, setting them wherever there was room.
“ "I get everything out first, then I start putting it out and getting ready for the school year," she said.
“She also has some new items to unpack, items she had purchased for her students over the summer.”
Lots [and lots and lots] of words here, but very little value in our pseudo-newspaper.
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