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Complaint Upheld by WNC at Hearing in Case of King County

Sheriff Sue Rahr's Office versus Seattle Post Intelligencer

(For details, see WNC Home Page.)

Complaint Upheld by WNC at Hearing in Case of Washington
State Beef and Dairy Products Commissions versus KIRO-TV
The Washington News Council largely upheld a complaint against KIRO-TV filed by the Washington State Beef Commission, Washington Dairy Products Commission, and Midway Meats Inc. of Chehalis, at a hearing in Seattle on June 14. KIRO-TV did not participate in the hearing.

To read a 23-page written summary of the hearing, click HERE:

To read the News Council's response to KIRO-TV's statement on why it did not participate, click HERE:

To read KIRO's reasons for declining to participate in the WNC hearing, click: http://www.kirotv.com/station/2264130/detail.html

To read KIRO's statement after the hearing, click HERE.

Here is how the Council voted on each question under consideration:

  1. Were KIRO's reports inaccurate by alleging or implying that: All "downer" or "non-ambulatory" cattle are unsafe and unfit for introduction into the food supply? YES: 15 votes.
  2. Were KIRO's reports inaccurate by alleging or implying that: Consumers are at increased risk of E. coli 0157:H7 contamination due to the introduction of meat from non-ambulatory cattle into the food supply? YES: 15 votes.
  3. Were KIRO's reports inaccurate by alleging or implying that: Animal-handling practices at Midway Meats' Chehalis processing plant were cruel and inhumane? YES: 10 votes; NO: 2 votes; ABSTAIN: 3.
  4. Were KIRO's reports inaccurate by alleging or implying that: Midway Meats was not complying with United States Department of Agriculture requirements because USDA inspectors were not present at the plant or were "looking the other way"? YES: 13 votes; ABSTAIN: 2.
  5. Were KIRO's reports unfair by alleging or implying that: There was a connection between the young boy who contracted E. coli in 1992 and "downer" cattle like those processed at Midway Meats? YES: 15 votes.
  6. Were KIRO's reports imbalanced by: Basing the stories primarily on a set of sources who all share similar viewpoints? YES: 14 votes; NO: 1 vote.
  7. Were KIRO's reports imbalanced by: Failing to seek more input or comments from parties who were the targets of criticism and/or have different viewpoints? YES: 10 votes; NO: 4 votes; ABSTAIN: 1.
  8. Did KIRO's reports cause damage to Midway Meats and the beef and dairy industries in Washington State? YES: 7 votes; NO: 3 votes; ABSTAIN: 5.
  9. Did KIRO's reports potentially endanger public health by reducing surveillance for early detection of "mad cow disease"? YES: 1 vote; NO: 10 votes; ABSTAIN: 4.

WNC Chairman Robert Utter presided at the hearing but does not vote. WNC Members present and voting were Media members Larry Cali, Thomas Cock Jr., Charles Dunsire, Sue Frause, Cyrus Krohn, Herb Robinson, Cliff Rowe and Stephen Silha, and Public members Suzie Burke, Margaret Gordon, Charles Nordhoff, Mike Poulson, Eddie Reed, Wes Uhlman, and R.Y. Woodhouse. (Individual votes of News Council members are in the 23-page written summary cited above.)

TVW filmed the hearing for broadcast statewide. (Call the WNC office if you would like a videotape.)

The hearing began with WNC President Eddie Reed introducing the News Council and members present introducing themselves. Chairman Utter reviewed the agenda and read the questions under consideration. Then a videotape of the four-part KIRO series was shown.

The complainants, represented by Patti Brumbach, Executive Director of the Washington State Beef Commission (www.wa.beeftips.com), and Blair Thompson, Consumer Communications Manager of the Washington Dairy Products Commission (http://www.havemilk.com/), then made their formal presentation.

KIRO-Television chose not to participate in the hearing. To represent KIRO's position, Chairman Utter read into the record a detailed response to the complaint that KIRO posted on its website (www.kirotv.com). 

The complainants then had time for rebuttal. For KIRO's rebuttal, Chairman Utter read the conclusion of their written response.

News Council members then asked questions and deliberated openly, followed by closing statements from the complainants and, in KIRO's absence, from Chairman Utter (again reading from KIRO's website).

Finally, the Council voted, first by written ballot and then by a show of hands on each question.

The hearing, at Town Hall Seattle, was open to the public and the news media. About 60 members of the public observed the proceedings. Representatives of the Northwest Animal Rights Network attended and distributed literature.

To read a Seattle Weekly (June 18) story on the hearing, click:
http://www.seattleweekly.com/features/0325/news-kiro.php

To read the Beef and Dairy Commission's concluding remarks at the hearing and their statement after the hearing, click HERE.

To read transcripts of the KIRO stories, go to www.kirotv.com.

To read the full text of the complaint, click HERE.

To read KIRO's response to the complaint, click:
http://www.kirotv.com/station/2264225/detail.html

To read KIRO's reasons for declining to participate in the WNC hearing, click:
http://www.kirotv.com/station/2264130/detail.html

To read a Seattle Weekly (May 28) story about the complaint, click:
http://www.seattleweekly.com//features/0322/news-dawdy.php

To read a Seattle Post-Intelligencer (May 29) story about the complaint, click:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/123978_tv29.html

To read KIRO's response to the Seattle P-I story, click: http://www.kirotv.com/station/2249324/detail.html

To read a letter to the editor from Chris Halsne that ran in the Seattle P-I, click http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/125271_ltrs6.html  (5th letter):
The complaint was filed with the WNC in March. The complainants also signed the News Council's waiver of claims form pledging not to sue KIRO if they use the News Council's process. Complaints Committee members reviewed a videotape of the KIRO stories and unanimously agreed to accept the complaint.

KIRO was notified of the complaint on April 7. Under the News Council's guidelines, the two sides were given 30 days to resolve the complaint. Since they were unable to do so by May 7, the Council scheduled a hearing.

The News Council invites comments from citizens and journalists about our process. Please send comments to info@wanewscouncil.org. Please include full name and phone number if you would like them to be posted on our website.

For more information, call John Hamer, WNC executive director, at 206-262-9793.
 

WNC Does Not Accept Complaint Against KIRO by WA Arms Collectors

The News Council did not accept a formal complaint against KIRO-TV filed by the Washington Arms Collectors. The complaint concerned an "investigative report" that KIRO broadcast late last year about a gun show in Centralia. The complaint contended that KIRO's story was inaccurate, incomplete, misleading, sensationalized, biased, and inflammatory. However, the complaint was not accepted for the News Council's process because the WAC was not the subject of the report nor was it the sponsor of the gun show depicted in the broadcasts. In addition, the individual gun dealer who was the subject of the report declined to join in the complaint. WNC guidelines specify that complainants or their organizations must have been the subjects of stories at issue.

While making no judgment on the merits of the case, the News Council forwarded a complete copy of the complaint to KIRO, along with a letter stating that the complaint "raises serious questions— about the accuracy, fairness and balance of your reporting." It continued: "We hope you will read this material carefully and consider it in your future reporting efforts."

WNC Does Not Accept Complaint Against The Valley View

The News Council did not accept a formal complaint against The Valley View, a weekly newspaper published in Woodinville, because the complainant was not the subject of the stories in question. The complainant contended that some reporting in the newspaper was inaccurate, incomplete, misleading and biased. Council staff urged the complainant to write a letter to the editor, which she did. It was subsequently published in the newspaper. A complete copy of the complaint was also forwarded to the publisher of The Valley View.

WNC Successfully Mediates Complaint in Case of Des Moines Chamber of Commerce vs. Highline Times/Des Moines News

The Washington News Council has successfully mediated a complaint filed by the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce against the Highline Times/Des Moines News. The News Council, which postponed a scheduled March 8 hearing on the complaint, now considers the case closed and will play no further role in the dispute. This is the first time the News Council has mediated a complaint in lieu of a hearing. (To read the Puget Sound Business Journal's story on this case, click here:
http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2003/04/14/newscolumn1.html) News Council members including Chairman Robert Utter, Media Members Herb Robinson and Chuck Dunsire, and Public Member Margo Gordon met with both sides in an effort to mediate a resolution of the complaint and to help the two organizations resolve their differences. The News Council first proposed a compromise to the newspaper editors and later to Chamber officials, which both sides accepted. The newspaper agreed to publish a column, which ran March 12, by Associate Editor Ralph Nichols. It directly addressed the complaint, conceded some factual inaccuracies in previous stories while defending other stories, and offered to meet with Chamber representatives in an effort to improve communication. The Chamber's board of directors met on March 21 to discuss the column. While not completely satisfied, the Chamber board plans to write a letter to the newspaper in response to the column. Current Chamber President Mike Foote also agreed to meet with newspaper executives at a date to be determined. The Chamber's past president, Ed Coumou, who signed the complaint, said the board was disappointed that the hearing had been cancelled, but said of the News Council: "My hat's off to you. You've been very professional in your dealings with us." Roger Hollings, General Manager of Robinson Newspapers (which owns the Highline Times/Des Moines News), also expressed concerns about the process, but said: "I was very pleased with the way you handled the meeting with us. You were extremely open and professional." The Chamber's original complaint, filed in November 2002, contended that various news stories and columns in the Times/News over the past several months were "misleading," "biased," "sensationalized," "inflammatory," and "unfair." It contended that the stories "wrongly damaged" the Chamber's reputation, that the newspaper failed to contact Chamber representatives, and failed to include balancing facts. The Highline Times/Des Moines News' editors responded in detail to the complaint, stating that: "(W)e find these claims to be nothing more than a collection of distortions and misrepresentations, and without merit—.(W)e stand by our reporting, commentary and graphic presentations that have been used as a vehicle for complaints against the Times/News by the Chamber." However, they pointed out that the Chamber had never asked for specific corrections or clarifications in letters, emails or phone calls. They also noted that Chamber representatives had not responded to several requests for interviews. Highline Times/Des Moines News Editor Eric Mathison, Associate Editor Ralph Nichols, and General Manager Hollings, who signed the newspaper's written response, informed the WNC on Feb. 18 that they had decided not to participate in the scheduled hearing, although they submitted further detailed responses to the complaint. Media participation in Council proceedings is voluntary. (See Complaint Process page for details.) Since the WNC was founded in 1998, it has received 15 formal complaints and dozens of complaint inquiries. Two previous complaints led to formal hearings. Others were resolved between the two parties, or did not meet Council guidelines. (See Complaint Resolutions page for details.)

For more information, please call WNC Executive Director John Hamer at 206-262-9793.

Complaint against The Seattle Times not accepted (December 2002)

A formal complaint was filed against The Seattle Times by a "30-year resident of Soap Lake" concerning a Nov. 12 story about a plan to build a "Giant Lava Lamp" in that community. The complaint was not accepted because the complainant asked to remain anonymous.

Complaint against KIRO-TV not accepted (November 2002)

A formal complaint was filed by Charles Seablom of Oak Harbor against KIRO-TV for a Nov. 18 broadcast about gun-show sales. The complaint was not accepted because Mr. Seablom was not named or alluded to in the broadcast.

Complaint against Robinson Newspapers not accepted (November 2002)

A formal complaint was filed by Richard Benjamin, Mayor Pro Tem of Des Moines and a City Councilman, against Robinson Newspapers of Burien. The complaint was not accepted because the complaint concerned a verbal remark by a reporter/columnist and did not include any published materials.

Complaints against The Seattle Times and the Highline Times not accepted (March 2002)

Two formal complaints were filed by Joseph Coomer of Des Moines. Neither was  accepted because the complainant was not named or alluded to in any of the stories cited in the complaints.


 Complaint Against Seattle Times Not Upheld (October 2001)

The Washington News Council voted on October 13 not to uphold a formal complaint by Prof. Hubert Locke against The Seattle Times. For a detailed Written Summary of the WNC's Complaint Hearing, click HERE.

At a formal Complaint Hearing, the News Council considered these questions:
Did The Seattle Times inaccurately represent the work of the Youth Safety Task Force regarding the issue of race in:
     a.  July 22 news story ("Youth-oriented Mardi Gras task force passes on race issue")?
     b. July 24 editorial ("Youth task force fails at its task")?
     c. July 29 "Inside The Times" column ("Red lines on a map spur thoughtful talk about race")?

The News Council voted to deny the complaint on all three questions.

On Question #1 (news story), the vote was 10-1 not to uphold the complaint.
Voting "NO" were: Larry Cali, Tom Cock, Chuck Dunsire, Sue Frause, Bill Gates Sr., Walt Howe, John Irby, Chuck Nordhoff, Mike Poulson, and Eddie Reed. Voting "YES" was: R.Y. Woodhouse.

On Question #2 (editorial), the vote was 11-0 not to uphold the complaint.
Voting "NO" were: Larry Cali, Tom Cock, Chuck Dunsire, Sue Frause, Bill Gates Sr., Walt Howe, John Irby, Chuck Nordhoff, Mike Poulson, Eddie Reed, and R.Y. Woodhouse.

On Question #3 (column), the vote was 10-1 not to uphold the complaint.
Voting "NO" were: Larry Cali, Tom Cock, Chuck Dunsire, Sue Frause, Bill Gates Sr., Walt Howe, John Irby, Chuck Nordhoff, Mike Poulson, and Eddie Reed. Voting "YES" was: R.Y. Woodhouse.

(Two Council members -- Margo Gordon and Herb Robinson -- participated in the discussion but recused themselves from voting because of close personal or professional relationships with Prof. Locke and The Seattle Times.)

Locke, Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Policy and co-chairman of the Youth Safety Task Force (formed after the Mardi Gras violence in Pioneer Square), filed his complaint against The Times in August.

The News Council accepted Locke's complaint for review, notified The Times, and urged the two parties to seek a resolution. Under the Council's procedures, the two sides had 30 days to settle their dispute. When they were unable to do so, the Council convened a hearing.

At the Complaint Hearing, both parties were given the opportunity to state their cases in an open public forum. Prof. Locke appeared before the News Council to explain his complaint and answered Council questions. The Seattle Times chose not to participate in the hearing (media participation is voluntary) but did cover the proceedings as a news event.

Times Executive Editor Michael Fancher responded to Locke's complaint in a series of detailed letters, with copies to the News Council. At the hearing, WNC Chair Robert Utter, former Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court, read Fancher's letters into the record. (To read Locke's complaint, Fancher's response, and their subsequent exchange of letters, please see LINKS below.)

TVSeattle filmed the hearing. A videotape is now available.  Please call or email the WNC office if you would like to order videotapes (cost: $10 each).

Locke Letter - August 15

Fancher  Letter - August 28

Locke Letter - September 17

Fancher Letter - September 20

Fancher Letter - October 4

Fancher Letter - October 8

WNC Letter to Fancher - October 10

WNC Letter to Locke - October 10

 Complaint Against Bellingham Herald Resolved (August 2001)

The WNC helped resolve a complaint against "The Bellingham Herald" from Edward H. Shaffer of Vancouver, B.C. Shaffer had been the subject of a story in the April 22 edition of "The Herald" that used a photograph of someone else identified as Shaffer, and also contained factual errors. Shaffer said he had been promised a correction, but none had appeared. In July, Shaffer filed a complaint with the WNC, which was forwarded to "The Herald". Managing Editor Evan Miller called and explained that they had run a correction in their print edition, but not in their on-line edition (which Shaffer reads daily). "The Herald" sent a copy of the original correction to Shaffer, and also ran another correction addressing the factual errors in the original story. Shaffer then withdrew his complaint. In a letter to the News Council, Miller said,  "I think we have done our part, though more than a bit tardy." In a phone call to the Council, Shaffer said: "I just wanted them to set the record straight." In a subsequent letter, Shaffer rote: "I want to thank you for your help. You are performing a valuable service by helping raise the stature of the media among the public. Keep up the good work." 

Complaint Hearing on Seattle Gay News Cancelled (April 2001)

The Washington News Council cancelled a formal Complaint Hearing it had scheduled for Saturday, April 21, at Town Hall in Seattle in the case of Michael Morgan vs. Seattle Gay News.

Morgan's complaint had concerned a Sept. 1, 2000, story that ran on the front page of Seattle Gay News, headlined "Gay/Lesbian candidates under attack." The story contended that Morgan, a candidate for King County Superior Court judge, was part of a "nefarious homophobic plot against Gay judicial candidates."

The News Council cancelled its hearing after learning that Seattle Gay News did in fact publish a front-page follow-up story on Sept. 8, 2000, in which Morgan was quoted at length. Morgan was unaware of the follow-up story until being informed of it by the News Council.

Morgan had told the News Council that Seattle Gay News had refused to run any kind of retraction or follow-up. The newspaper did not post the follow-up story on its website and did not give a copy to the News Council despite repeated requests for copies of any follow-up articles. (Media participation in the Council's process is voluntary.) Council staff finally located the follow-up article in a search of back issues of the Seattle Gay News at Seattle Public Library.

Morgan's complaint stated that the Sept. 1 story was factually inaccurate and had wrongly damaged his reputation. He said he had called the Seattle Gay News after the story ran and asked for a retraction, but he insisted that nothing had appeared.

The News Council accepted Morgan's complaint on the understanding that no follow-up story had been published. When it learned that was not the case, the Council cancelled its hearing. The Council has asked Seattle Gay News to post the Sept. 8 story on its website, and Editor-in-Chief George Bakan has agreed to do so.

Complaint Against Seattle Times Resolved (April 2000)

A citizen's complaint to the Washington News Council against The Seattle Times has been resolved. Glenn Ledbetter of Mercer Island withdrew his complaint after The Times privately apologized to him for its Jan. 24, 2000 article, which he said had damaged him "personally and professionally." Ledbetter filed his complaint with the News Council on March 13. Subsequently, The Times ran a follow-up story (April 10) and published his letter to the editor (April 27).

In a letter to the News Council, Ledbetter said: "I am 100% convinced that The Times would have done absolutely nothing were it not for the existence of the Washington News Council and had I not chosen to stand up for myself by filing a complaint." He added that he was "profoundly grateful" to the Council.

To read The Times' two stories and Ledbetter's letter to the editor, go to www.seattletimes.com and search for "Glenn Ledbetter." 

Complaint Against The Olympian Upheld (February 2000)

The Washington News Council on Feb. 12 upheld a complaint by Bernard Friedman of Olympia against The Olympian newspaper. In its first public hearing on a formal complaint by a citizen against a media organization, the News Council voted 9 to 6 to uphold the complaint.

The News Council addressed these questions: "Is The Olympian's editorial factually inaccurate, failing to include balancing facts or information? Was the paper therefore unfair or misleading in its description of Mr. Friedman's behavior at the city council meeting, which the editorial cited in endorsing Mr. Friedman's opponent?"

Friedman's complaint concerned an Oct. 21, 1999, editorial that endorsed incumbent Mark Foutch over challenger Friedman in a race for Olympia City Council. Friedman contended that the editorial inaccurately reported Friedman's behavior at an Aug. 10, 1999, City Council meeting.

In his complaint to the News Council, Friedman stated that the editorial was "factually inaccurate," "misleading," "inflammatory," "unfair" and that it "wrongly damaged his reputation."

The hearing was presided over by Robert Utter, Chairman of the News Council and former Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court. The hearing began with Utter playing an audiotape of the Aug. 10 City Council meeting. Friedman then outlined his complaint, providing written statements for the record and calling two witnesses to speak on his behalf.

The Olympian declined to participate in the hearing, but Justice Utter read into the record two letters from Executive Editor Vickie Kilgore defending the editorial and the newspaper's endorsement process. News Council members then asked questions and deliberated in public before voting. The News Council's criteria included Principles of Ethical Conduct for Newsrooms issued by Gannett Newspapers, owners of The Olympian. They state: "We will hold factual information in opinion columns and editorials to the same standards of accuracy as news stories."

A videotape of the hearing and a written summary of the proceedings are available. Call 206-262-9793 for details. You may also view our press releases HERE. To read Bernard Friedman's final statement on the proceedings, click HERE.


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