TWO NEWSPAPER EXECS BLAME TV FOR PUBLIC'S IMAGE OF NEWS MEDIA

Television is at least partly to blame for the public's low opinion of the news media, two executives with major newspapers said in Cape Girardeau Friday.

"I think we are better than television people," said Elliott Brack, associate publisher of the Gwinnett section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I think television people bring us down."

Jackie Jones, assistant city editor of The Washington Post, said people love to hate the media. "We are sort of like the tax man: You have got us whether you want us or not," she said.

Brack and Jones spoke to more than 100 students and representatives of area newspapers at Southeast Missouri State University.

The event in the University Center was part of a mass-communication conference at the school that focused on "The Big Picture: 21st Century Media Campaigns, Choices and Careers."

Jones said the news media is criticized for focusing too much on crime and poverty in some neighborhoods.

Jones said television shows like "Entertainment Tonight" are part of the problem. People wrongly think of them as legitimate news shows, she said.

Internet sites like that of Matt Drudge also add to the problem, she said. "Matt Drudge is not a journalist," said Jones.

"Being able to get on air or on line with fast, accurate information is tricky," she said.

Sometimes it takes time to sort out the facts. "You can't always explain the shifting sands of a story to the readers," she said.

Brack spoke about sensationalism in the news. He pointed to the Elian Gonzalez case, which continues to make news.

"A lot of people don't care about it," he said. But he added that the story has warranted coverage and continues to do so.

Jones said newspaper Internet sites allow newspapers to update developing stories sooner rather than waiting for the next day's edition.

Brack said newspaper credibility is better than television weather forecasts.

Jones said newspapers need to do honest reporting.

Brack defended investigative reporting. "Good investigative reporting is always out there."

He said every community needs investigative reporting from time to time to keep officials honest.