If you watched the Monday evening newscast on Raleigh’s NBC affiliate, you might remember a story about the John Locke Foundation’s recent Neuse River Greenway Survey.
The story included a comment from Michael Sanera, as well as criticism from a person identified as a “resident.” I didn’t see the story, but the script prompted the following note Tuesday morning to WNCN’s e-mail account for viewer input.
Greetings. My name is Mitch Kokai. I’m communications director for the John Locke Foundation.
Your reporter Yvette Yeon compiled a story that aired Monday discussing the recent JLF survey on the Neuse River Greenway. The survey’s key finding is that residents whose property is affected directly by a greenway are much less likely to support the idea than those greenway users who face no costs (increased risk of crime, lost privacy, lower property values) from the project.
Ms. Yeon quoted our research director, Dr. Michael Sanera, and also quoted Sig Huthinson, identified in the story only as a “resident.” Since Mr. Hutchinson is used in the story to bash the survey results and call us “fear-mongers,” it would have been more appropriate to identify him as more than just a “resident.”
His own Web site (www.sighutchinson.com) explains that he is a vocal advocate for greenways and open space. He touts his role in promoting bond referendums for projects such as greenways. “Sig has also been the driving force in the region behind the creation of an expansive interconnected greenways system,” according to his Web site.
Your story made Hutchinson appear to be a typical resident. In fact, he is a greenway advocate. Leaving out that fact is an important error of omission. Your viewers deserve to know the basis for Mr. Hutchinson’s comments about our survey.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this story. Please let me know if you have any questions.
The station’s news director offered the following response this morning:
Mr. Kokai:
First thank you for writing to us about your concerns. I agree with you that Mr. Hutchinson should have been identified as an advocate in our story, in addition to noting his residency in the affected community. While I believe our story included both sides of this issue, Mr. Hutchinson’s involvement in greenways in our region should have been included. I have personally reviewed this story with Ms. Yeon. Again, I appreciate you bringing this issue to my attention. Please, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me directly in the future should you have any concerns.
I responded with thanks for the prompt reply and for the content of the news director’s comments.
To recap, there’s no problem with a media outlet seeking an alternative view to the one expressed by the respondents in the JLF greenway survey. But a high-profile greenway advocate with a dog in the fight should be identified.
We would not expect a story about the state budget to include a critical comment from “John Hood, taxpayer.”
