Attempts are seriously underway to implement solutions to the ongoing drug problem in the county If there were no plans being developed, you can be certain that a segment of citizens who contrive to find reproach in every issue would hotly criticize that lack. The county was recently awarded a grant that will not only cover the salary and benefits of the director of programs that will put into action needed programs, but will be applied to those programs. Instead of celebrating this victory, we are met with the Cecil Times slanted headlines: “White House Gives Cecil County 125K Drug Prevention Grant; Over Half of $ Goes to Pay, Benefits for Program ‘Coordinator’.” This grant is, in essence, a generous gift to the county taxpayer. Yet, those within the faction that claims that there is excessive county spending are the very one now chiming in to disparage this award. Had the headline read: ”Development of Drug Program Covered by Recent Grant,” this illogical reproach we now see might have been abated. Some few are politically inspired to grasp onto any cynical, fault-finding line tossed their way. Before fully analyzing, they quickly clench and run with it thinking it will be to their advantage. Although I don’t agree, I can understand their motivation. But, I am trying to understand the reasoning of the Cecil Times for the adverse angle on what should have been an optimistic story. I’m guessing the publisher (who is also the editor) is well aware that glaring negative wording will catch the attention of the reader more quickly than will uplifting news. The Cecil Times could (and should) encourage efforts being made in our struggle to combat the drug problem. Instead, in this instance, it appears that wording was carefully crafted to cast doubt, disrupt, and divide. I’m bewildered and disappointed by this example of yellow journalism.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 03:01:55 +0000
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