Dear Editor:
An old friend called me the other day. She and I both used to read a big city paper when it was available in our area. We didn't always agree with what we read, but we wanted to stay informed as to the goings on in the wider world. We both read the Suwannee Democrat, too.
In our conversation, my friend and I both gave thanks for the Riverbend News. It has stepped up to fill a void in our lives. I thanked God, too, when I read the job description found in their ad seeking a reporter. (Take a second and read that ad now and you'll see what I mean.)
Newspapers and other media play an important role in keeping us informed. I can't just keep looking up stories on the internet that conform my biases and expect to be informed.
I was alarmed when I saw Ms. Tami Stevenson's articles in the Suwannee Valley Times. (“COVID-19 Medical experts speak out” and “Doctor Kelly Victory, M.D. Exposes false claims about pandemic.”) In a pandemic we need good information from the best of sources. I have heard many highly-credentialed experts interviewed on the radio news. None of them sounded like Dr. Kelly Victory or Dr. Dareld Morris II.
“Aha!” you say, “You've been listening to NPR! Everyone knows they are liberal. You must now believe any thing you hear from a liberal source.”
Yes, we all have our biases when it comes to how news is reported. My concern is that we don't screen out critical facts that could protect our health and that of others because of a political bias.
Get the facts, folks. Do truly the best you can for you and yours.
Sincerely,
Susan King
Live Oak, Fla.