09-25-2009 IS KC STAR EDITING OR CENSORING REPORTER'S REMARKS? Kansas City Star Readers' Representative Derek Donovan is once again earning his salary by attempting to explain to readers why a blog post by fellow Star staffer Mike DeArmond regarding recent fights at KU were completely removed from the Star's Web site. DeArmond is the long-time beat writer for the University of Missouri. Unfortunately, Donovan says "his purview doesn't extend to KU." Seems like a pretty narrow beat. (My thoughts in red.) "Sports editor Holly Lawton (KU alum) didn't think it was a good fit, and asked (editors don't ask, they 'TELL' or DEMAND) for it to be removed," noted Donovan. "Is it censorship? (yes!) No way. Everything in a newspaper is edited, and everything on a newspaper writer's blog is subject to editing... "Editing isn't censorship (removing an entire blog post is!) -- and it's an integral part of reasoned writing. No matter how brilliant the writer, he or she can always benefit from a second, independent set of eyes at least asking questions, if not making changes or suggestions." We tend to agree with most of Donovan's explanations for the crazy logic employed at the Star these days. However, his remarks almost make it seem like the protests over a KU grad now being the Star's beat writer at Kansas State have some validity. DeArmond has not responded to BLC about the situation.
09-26-2009 NOT CENSORSHIP "it may have been stupid or shortsighted or anal to remove dearmond's comments, but it is not censorship. The Star gets to decide what it publishes, not individual employees."
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