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Government Vs Media
By Mike Stegall, Darke County Commissioner

Ever since the invention of the printing press by Chinese monks using a method called Block Printing, 600 years before Gutenberg, the media and governments seemed to be at war with each other.  The media is looked at by most governments as an intrusion, a menace with a “gotcha” mentality that is their perception of the truth, or completely made up happenings from “unnamed sources” that makes a good story and sells papers, the truth be damned!  Media, on the other hand looks at government as a secretive organization that inherently tries to hide its evil doings from the pure of heart, and “Guardians of the Republic” the all knowing media.  It is a story of confrontation and intrigue that has kept us all interested for hundreds of years. 

But, does it have to be this way?  Do these 2 completely different organizations with so much in common, have to treat each other as the enemy?  We see it every day in press conferences, in the paper, on blogs, and websites.  How did this happen, and why can’t they both do their jobs without the confrontation?  We see this in the major media, and federal government mostly, but not so much the lower you get in Government.  For example, in the State of Ohio, Governor Kasich has for the most part been treated fairly.  The Columbus media does not always agree with him, and some editorials can get nasty, but they seem to have a mutual respect for each other, and the Governor and the press seem to talk frequently.  The media in Darke County and the Commissioners get along very nicely.  Why?  Where is the contentiousness and suspicion with Government?  I think that is easy to explain; we are open and convenient for each other. The higher in government you go, the less accessible they become.  I can tell you right now, we are so fortunate to have 2 papers (The Daily Advocate and The Early Bird) , radio (WTGR), and electronic media, (County news Online, Bluebag Media and Darke Journal) that cover us.  All of them have easy access to us, and more importantly for the Commissioners, we have easy access to them.  I know myself that I do not look at the media as an adversary, but an ally.  The media helps us get our message out there and lets you the people know what we are doing.  We try not to hide what we are doing up here, so having the media so close is easy for us.  I for one like the fact if I need something to get out, I can call The Advocate and the others and tell them about it or can send them all e-mails and ask to have it put out for people.  If they have any questions, they only have to come to the office or call, or e-mail us their questions, simple, easy, and effective.  

I truly enjoy my interactions with our media.  They have all become friends.  Herein is the area that can be troublesome.  If we do something that the media questions, and thinks is wrong, will they say so in their stories? Will they be willing  to report the negatives, too?  I hope so!  I can separate friendship from my business, I have always been able to, and I know they can too.  They have to, it’s their job.  When I was elected, I told Christina Chalmers of the Advocate that if I goofed up, I expected her to print it.  She said she would have no problem doing her job, and I believe her, she is a strong lady.  Bob Robinson of the Early Bird and County News online told me that he was going to watch me like a hawk!  I appreciated that, and Bob and I have a good relationship based on friendship and our desire to do our jobs, whatever the consequences. 

The reason for this rambling, if you will, is to let the people of Darke County know that you are getting the whole story from our media.  They have done a great job, and do their very best to get the story right.  We appreciate that.  We may not be happy with everything all the time, but they are fair, and honest which is all we ask.  The next time you read the paper, or a blog, or website, and it is a story of what is happening in local government, take the time to thank your local media.  They work hard to keep you informed.  They get trashed a lot by some of us, but all in all, they do a great job, and they have the awards to show it.  Think of this; where would we all be without them? How would we possibly find out what goes on?  We would have to rely on face to face communication, and rumors.  We all know how that goes, don’t we? 

So, to Christina Chalmers and Stacie Ward of the Advocate, Bob Robinson of the Early Bird and County News Online, Alex “The Voice of Darke County” Micas, and Scott Ward of WTGR radio, and John Liette of Darke Journal, Thank You!  Thanks for the hard work, and for putting up with me and the others (mostly me!), and for keeping your readers and followers informed.  It is not an easy job, but you all do it so very well! (Well, maybe just o.k. for you Bob!!)  Sorry, just had to take the shot! 

Mike Stegall, Darke County Commissioner


 
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