If I ever wonder if anybody really reads or cares about what’s in the newspaper, I only have to remember the number of calls and e-mails we get from people expressing either appreciation or outrage about something we’ve published. It's always nice to get a note or, sometimes, even a box of cookies or treats from someone who wants to thank us for something we've run in the Southern Standard. 

Unfortunately, we’re more likely to hear from those who are upset because typically folks with complaints are more motivated to reach out than those with compliments. Whether the callers are regular readers or not, they certainly believe in the powerful reach of the newspaper or they wouldn’t be so upset by a story they feel casts them or a loved one in a negative light. 

Occasionally when we run a story about someone being arrested, we’ll get calls from the person or their family telling us we’re reporting lies or demanding we run a correction or threatening lawsuits. We have received a couple of those calls recently. 

Here’s the thing. In America people are innocent until proven guilty. That’s why, if you read the stories we publish (and many of the people who call and complain do not), we never say the person actually did the things they are accused of. We are merely reporting the fact that they were arrested and charged with whatever it was they were charged with. We are very careful in our word choice to make that apparent. You’ll see lots of “according to the arresting officer,” “according to the police report,” “allegedly,” “reportedly” and other phrases making it clear these are not things the Southern Standard is accusing people of. We aren’t always at the scenes of the alleged crimes and it’s not our place to declare guilt or innocence, but it is our job to try to keep our readers informed on what’s happening in the community. Crime and arrests are a big part of that, which is why we run those stories. 

We’re simply reporting what law enforcement officials have said in arrest warrants and to our reporters. Even after the accused have their day in court, if they are found guilty, we don’t absolutely declare the person did what it was they were convicted of. We refer to them as a “convicted murderer,” or as someone “found guilty of arson” or whatever the charge was. 

For the people or family members of someone who find themselves on the front page of the Southern Standard in connection  with a crime, I certainly understand it’s not the best day of their lives. It’s no fun, especially if the person or family feels they are innocent of the charges, but the newspaper isn’t the place to take out those frustrations. We’re simply reporting on the actions of law enforcement and the courts and we’ll be just as happy to report it if they are found innocent of those charges in a court of law. As the saying goes, don’t shoot the messenger. 

Standard Managing Editor Seth Wright can be reached at (931) 473-2191