Holding the line for truth

A mostly empty page. The words on the Capital Gazette’s June 29 editorial page -  a day after five of its newsroom staff were murdered - are simple, mournful but distinctly defiant:

“Today, we are speechless. This page is intentionally left blank to commemorate victims of Thursday’s shootings at our office.

·     Robert Hiaasen

·     John McNamara

·     Gerald Fischman

·     Wendi Winters

·     Rebecca Smith.

Tomorrow this page will return to its steady purpose of offering our readers informed opinion about the world around them, that they might be better citizens.”

The Gazette's editorial tells us that the media is being attacked in the United States and around the world. Thursday’s murders punctuate the antagonism that has been building momentum. These are days where we as communicators must hold the line for truth.

The news business is a small world just like in public relations, marketing and advertisement. Everyone knows each other in the business. The loss of five people cuts deep. Although our First Amendment calls for freedom of press – we know it is not a given. We have sadly learned that repeatedly, especially this week.