Jack Webb as Joe Friday on the TV series “Dragnet” was renowned for his constant mantra, “Just the facts, ma’am.”
Facts can be good, neutral or bad.
In today’s world of social media and fake news, facts are often ignored.
Facebook posts often spin narratives that lack credibility and/or accountability.
Facebook provides a convenient, easy-to-use forum to attack those who report facts.
It’s the old “kill the messenger” tactic to divert attention from those who do not like facts.
Elected officials and other high-profile individuals often have the attitude that they have an immunity from reporting of facts that pertain to them.
There are many examples; here are some recent ones reported by this writer.
Caddo Commissioner Lynn Cawthorne has a federal criminal trial on Aug 16.
Bossier City Judge Santi Parks is representing a DWI client in Benton.
Shreveport business promoter David deBerardinis has a federal trial date of July 6.
Bossier Councilman David Montgomery writes insurance for many public agencies.
Shreveport activist Breka Peoples is one and the same as Quanittla Shambrika Dennis.
Bossier City Police Chief Shane McWilliams has been sued by Discover Bank for a $14,000 credit card debt.
Caddo Commissioner Steven Jackson drives a vehicle without license tags.
And the list goes on and on.
Facts are facts.
Public officials are not exempt from media reports on facts.
High-profile people are not exempt from facts reported by the media.
The public should welcome the reporting of facts and condemn those who hide from them.
Similarly, efforts to tar and feather those who report facts is an age-old practice educated readers should recognize and ignore.
As Jack Webb always said, “Just the facts, ma’am.”
Jack could draw his own conclusions from the facts. The public can do the same.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE June 11 ISSUE OF FOCUS SB - THE INQUISITOR.