SPJ Florida condemns local officials for denying access to New York Times
The Society of Professional Journalists Florida Pro Chapter is calling on a group of local county commissioners to reverse its decision to deny residents digital access to The New York Times.
As first reported by The Citrus County Chronicle, the Citrus County Commission axed a plan to offer digital access to The New York Times to 70,000 library card holders in the county for about $2,700. Members of the commission cited personal support of President Donald Trump and personal distaste for the reporting in the Times, allowing personal opinions to restrict tens of thousands of residents’ right to information.
Today, we’ve released a letter condemning the commission’s poor call and encouraging it to reverse its decision. We’ve also reached out to the Citrus County Library system and are offering our support.
“If their elected officials refuse to pay for library card holders’ subscriptions, then SPJ Florida will find a way to fund it ourselves.” – SPJ Florida Pro Chapter President Emily Bloch
“Following the Citrus County Commission’s irresponsible call to limit its residents’ access to news, I hopped on a call with the library’s acting director,” SPJ Florida President Emily Bloch said. “I explained our group’s track record of working with libraries and our past programs that focus on teaching media literacy. I also told them that if their elected officials refuse to pay for library card holders’ subscriptions, then SPJ Florida will find a way to fund it ourselves.”
SPJ Florida has a standing offer of support with the library system in their efforts to improve access to information for their residents.
Read the letter in full:
Letter text in full:
Nov. 6, 2019
The Society of Professional Journalists Florida Pro Chapter is calling on a group of Florida county commissioners to reverse its decision to deny residents digital access to The New York Times. It’s a move that throws into sharp relief the growing and urgent need for media literacy education.
As first reported by The Citrus County Chronicle, the Citrus County Commission nixed a plan to offer digital access to The New York Times to 70,000 library card holders in the county for about $2,700. Citing personal support of President Donald Trump and personal distaste for the reporting in the Times, the board let its own opinions cloud tens of thousands of residents’ right to information.
“I don’t want The New York Times in this county. I don’t agree with it, I don’t like ‘em, it’s fake news and I’m voting no,” Commissioner Scott Carnahan said, with others in agreeance. “I support Donald Trump.”
As a direct result of the influx of national attention the decision garnered, the commission will revisit its choice on Nov. 19 — although according to local reporting, several commissioners firmly stand behind their decision.
SPJ Florida’s Board of Directors is calling for the Citrus County Commission to reverse its decision at that time and fund digital access to an award-winning, reputable news organization for its constituents. Additionally, we ask that the commissioners take the time to visit the website we created to dispel myths like the ones they believe about what is and what isn’t fake news.
But if they don’t take action, we will.
SPJ Florida has reached out to the Citrus County library system with a standing offer of support in their efforts to improve access to information for their residents.
“Following the Citrus County Commission’s irresponsible call to limit its residents’ access to news, I hopped on a call with the library’s acting director,” SPJ Florida President Emily Bloch said. “I explained our group’s track record of working with libraries and our past programs that focus on teaching media literacy. I also told them that if their elected officials refuse to pay for library card holders’ subscriptions, then SPJ Florida will find a way to fund it ourselves.”
“Fake news” is a term that should be exclusively used to describe partisan publications that disregard fact, but look like real news stories. That’s why SPJ Florida (jokingly) applied to trademark the term. And as we await the results of our application, we’ve sent a cease and desist letter to Commissioner Carnahan, who used the term incorrectly.
SPJ has long backed a Code of Ethics for journalists that separates them from those who intend to mislead or promote a specific set of views. Journalists, like those at the New York Times, seek truth and report it. They minimize harm. They act independently. And they strive to be accountable and transparent.
The New York Times is not fake news, and we believe it’s dangerous to mislabel it as such.
We hope the Citrus County commissioners, and those who support their decision, will take this as a learning opportunity. We are eager to see what comes of their Nov. 19 meeting.
Sincerely,
Emily Bloch
President, SPJ Florida Pro Chapter
The Society of Professional Journalists Florida Pro Chapter Board
| OFFICERS
Emily Bloch, president Cassidy Alexander, vice president Lulu Ramadan, VP of programming Michele Boyet, VP of membership Brendon Lies, secretary Christopher Persaud, treasurer Christiana Lilly, past president |
DIRECTORS
Richard Gaspar Lindsey Killbride Hannah Lee Carina Mask Suzette Speaks Kristen Grau, student rep |