The following is in response to the recent Letter to the Editor, as posted on 11/17/2016 on this newspaper.
1- Fear or awareness?
Fear is a primal response of all animals (including humans) that helps us survive. It is a basic instinct caused by unknown circumstances that could be harmful towards our well being. How do we overcome fear? By making the unknown, known. That is done with information.
When someone has full, truthful information about the facts that are going around, one can take the necessary precautions to ensure one’s well being. Also, one can take a position, make a stand and select the attitudes that best suit the situation that involves the city, the country and the world.
That is awareness, and this newspaper spreads awareness rather than fear. We don’t expect people to hide in their houses, we expect people to take this information and take the needed precautions to ensure their well being.
Taking into account that this news paper works alongside the Police Department of Asphyxiation Point, and checks the facts with them beforehand, as well as asking which names and/or pictures could or not be published not to tamper any ongoing investigation.
2- Bias or position?
A bias is a tendency to judge something without full knowledge of it. In journalism, a bias can be personal or monetary, that is, when someone pays you to say certain things or hide some other facts. In this news paper we do our research, check with the sources, investigate and interview. We do not accept bribes of any sort and of course, our speech is not bought.
A position on the other hand, is when you have the facts and share them all, at the same time as you invite the readers to form an opinion and openly share yours.
The AP times has clear positions and it is “Freedom of speech”, being that said, the opinions shared in columns and articles are not necessarily shared by the Editors nor the staff and are a responsibility of the author .
3- Article, report or column?
This could be a tricky one, but I will try to explain it as clearly as possible.
A report tells the fact, just as they happened, it does not include opinions of any sort and is generally based on events that took place recently.
An Article on the other hand will include both facts and opinions; a news article can include accounts of eyewitnesses to the happening event. It can contain photographs, accounts, statistics, graphs, recollections, interviews, polls, debates on the topic, etc. The writer can also give facts and detailed information following answers to general questions like who, what, when, where, why and how.
A column finally is mostly made of opinion. This opinion should be based on truthful facts and aims to generate awareness on a certain topic. The responsibility of the words and reactions caused by those words are solely of the author of the column.
4- Sections?
Normally a news paper has sections and the AP times is no exception to that rule.
In the News Sections, articles and reports will usually be found. These are about facts and events that have been going around in Asphyxiation point recently. They contain facts, interviews, polls, statistics, etc.
In the life section, columns will be found. These columns are usually of opinion, anyone can have access to this section. With the help of one of our journalists or editors, people can have access to a piece of opinion that will be published.
Ads and others, people that would like to spread information about their business, party, event, etc. Can buy advertisement space in the AP times, and it will be located in the “Ads” section.
5- Freedom of speech?
Finally the most important topic, freedom.
It is important to note that freedom is not for sale.
The basic rule of freedom of speech is truth. If the facts presented are truthful and do not hurt anyone, it will be published.
Keeping into account that some sources should remain anonymous and some names need to be either changed or eliminated for the protection of those involved, if the facts are true, there is absolutely no reason for this paper to ban any article/report/column.
Regardless of your position, if you cannot handle the truth it is not fault of the writer, editor or publisher, it is up to you to find your reasons.
This news paper works alongside the PD and the general authorities of the Asphyxiation Point Island. It protects the names and identities that need to be protected and share the information that needs to be shared not to tamper any ongoing investigations and at the same time to help them move forward.
With all that being said, if any other questions should arise, the office of the AP Times is always open and the editors will make themselves available for you.
Best regards,
Lois Whitfield
AP Times co-Editor
Phedre Dumoriez
AP times co-Editor