Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Dear Editor,

Fact-based journalism (or reporting), gossip and speculation are three very different things. Sounds reasonable and not a hard concept to understand, right? Apparently not for over 5,000 people who look to the Facebook page "The Clink" for their "news." The page bills itself as "The Clink Report - Regional, National & International Crime Reporters." Let's be clear, no matter how they promote themselves, they are not a legitimate news source, nor are they reporters. So, please do not be suckered in to believing you are getting your info from a valid source.

Sure, they re-post some articles that are written by actual reporters from reputable news agencies, but that seems to be merely a smokescreen to lend a bit of legitimacy to, what at its core, is nothing more than a gossip page. One that occasionally crosses the line into cyberbullying, has posted pictures of neighborhood children because they didn't like what they were doing, and has blasted personal info such as license numbers, dates of birth, addresses and social security numbers to its over 5,000 members, known as "Clinkies." The page is run by a handful of administrators who walk in lock-step with the page's founder. Any type of disagreement with the administrators is grounds for immediate banning from the page, followed by ridicule of the banned member and a heaping helping of praise for The Clink.

When it began, it seemed like a pretty good idea. We live in a small town that is not served by a 24-hour news agency. There could be valuable information that people could miss. As an example, not everyone subscribes to the DDD text alerts, and those were routinely reposted as breaking news was happening. Similar items from the KPD's Facebook page were reposted as well as local weather alerts. All good, informative things. Even the emergency scanner chatter in the beginning was handled well. But, then something happened. Legitimate news agencies get breaking news from the same scanner chatter as The Clink.

The way in which it is handled separates the two. The real news agency goes to the scene, gathers information, works with the emergency agencies to obtain accurate information, verifies the information and then distributes it. The Clink basically transcribes scanner chatter as it happens.

Several months ago, there was a high-speed chase following a robbery in Kennett. The Clink's lead administrator, bragging about her ability to type 100+ wpm, provided a play-by-play of the event detailing locations where officers from various agencies were setting up to attempt to intercept the vehicle including where they were laying spike strips. When called on it and questioned if her details may actually have helped the robbers evade police, she said it was public information available on the scanner to anyone. Which are you more likely to have? A scanner or a smartphone with Facebook?

Another huge difference is the way "reports" of traffic accidents, burglaries, assaults and deaths are handled. News agencies wait until there is an official release of information before putting specific details out for public consumption. This seems to be the biggest problem with this page. With very little information, long before an investigation can be concluded (or in some cases even started) The Clink starts posting. On at least three occasions, family members have learned of the passing of a loved one not from authorities or other family members, but from The Clink (or from a concerned friend who read it there and called to offer sympathy) before official notification and release of the information. As if that wasn't bad enough, "Clinkies" then launch into speculation about how the incident occurred, usually bringing up any and every misstep - whether factual or rumored - from the person's past.

The Clink seems to serve as judge, jury and executioner of every event in our area, all while passing themselves off as a legitimate news source. Still even worse is the fact that the information doesn't even have to come from an official source, investigation or even scanner chatter before it is put out as a newsworthy item on the page. Any speculation about a situation is posted as fact and "Clinkies" are encouraged to share with the administrators any and all "information" they may have about the topic.

Frustration with the page has been building for some time throughout the community. The Clink will get called on something and when outcry is loud enough, the post will be taken down and there is no accountability. It's as if nothing happened. That is a sure sign that you are not dealing with a news source, but instead a gossip site.

The Clink has gone too far, one too many times. Recently, two tragic deaths in our community were splashed all over their page with a wide range of speculation on the manner and cause of death. It is not The Clink's place to publicize the passing of someone they have no connection to especially when they have so little information about what truly happened, or if all family members have been told. Like the other instances, these men had friends and a family that adored the. They mattered to people. Their families matter to people. The Clink's callous disregard for the feelings of those affected by their gossip page needs to stop.

Please see The Clink for what it is - a gossip page. Leave the news reporting to those credentialed individuals whose profession it is and who are bound by journalistic ethics and held accountable when they break those bonds.

Kari Jackson

Kennett, Mo.