Determination 87: Terrance Lappin v. Snoose News
Complainant, Terrance J. Lappin, appeared on his own behalf. Editor Steve Eide of Snoose News, submitted an 11-page written response to Lappin’s complaint. The issue raised in this proceeding is the fairness of an “editorial cartoon.”
Determination 86: Lao Family Community v. Twin Cities Reader
Appearing on behalf of the Twin Cities Reader were D. J. Tice and Ruth Hammond. Appearing for the complainant was Nkajlo V. Vangh, president and chairman of the board of Lao Family Community, who was accompanied by Stephen Young. Other persons from the Hmong community were also present.
Determination 84: Charles Jones v. Tri-County Record
Charles H. Jones, the grievant, was present, as was Myron J. Schober, editor of the Tri-County Record. Jones’ complaint raises issues about the newspaper’s handling of letters to the editor and the newspaper’s policy with respect to religious columns.
Determination 85: WAMM & Women/Work/Welfare v. KARE-TV
In February 1990, KARE-TV, Channel 11 ran a three-part series depicting abuses in the state welfare system by welfare recipients. At the time, certain remedial legislation was being proposed in the legislature. The general thrust of the series was that large sums of welfare funds were being lost because of fraudulent claims by recipients and that the public authorities were devoting insufficient resources and personnel to investigate the fraud. Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) filed a complaint with the Council, claiming that the program contained factual inaccuracies. As the basis for its complaint, WAMM relied on a two-page fact sheet prepared by the Department of Human Services entitled “Corrections to False or Misleading Statements in KARE 11 Welfare Fraud Series.”A Question of Standing: On occasion, the Council may sponsor a forum to discuss a media topic; in this setting, the question of standing does not arise. When, however, the Council hears a particular charge against a particular newspaper or television station, the Council generally requires that the complaining party have standing, i.e., some immediate, direct personal interest which is adversely affected by the news story. The requirement of standing gives some assurance that both sides of the dispute will be adequately presented and represented; that the issues will be well-defined; and that due process is accorded the party against whom the complaint is made.
Determination 83: Lifespring, Inc. v. KARE-TV
Determination 82: DEFFBAM (Ferret Fanciers) v. WCCO-TV
The complaint is that Channel 4 inaccurately, and hence unfairly, characterized the domestic ferret as a wild animal, essentially untamable and dangerous. Appearing on behalf of the complainant were its president, Joel Johnson, and its strategic coordinator, Randy Sellers. Channel 4 declined to attend.
Determination 81: The City Inc. v. Star Tribune
The City, Inc. is a social and educational community service organization working with troubled inner-city youth and their families, particularly in the African American and American Indian communities in Minneapolis. On October 7, 1989, the Star Tribune published an article titled “The City Inc. and The Way survive criticism.” The complaint is twofold:
That the article gives an inaccurate and racially insensitive portrayal of The City.
That a representative of the organization is misquoted as making a racist remark.
Determination 80: MACCRAY School District v. West Central Tribune
Appearing for the complainant school district were Roger Rueckert, superintendent, Gary Sims, high school principal, accompanied by board members Gerald Winkelman, David Roskens and Craig Dirksen. Appearing for the West Central Tribune was its managing editor, Forrest Peterson. Also in attendance was the publisher of the weekly Raymond News, Bill Paterson.
The issue is whether appropriate journalistic practice in this instance should expect the newspaper to print the school district’s name as it is legally registered, i.e., all letters of the name in capitals.