We need responsible journalists

I read with interest Mr. Curley’s editorial about the role and need for journalists urging the purchase of “America Needs Journalists” T-shirts.

I wholeheartedly agree with this T-shirt slogan and will purchase one … when more journalists present verifiable facts, not unsupported opinion; when journalists research facts, not promote fake narratives; when journalists act responsibly and not rush to judgment (e.g., Jussie Smollett, Trayvon Martin, the “Hands up don’t shoot” hoax, Covington High School misstatements, and on and on); when journalists police themselves, instead of unreasonably walking in lockstep; when the Spokesman uses opinion columnists other than those primarily from the New York Times and Washington Post in order to give a “balanced view”; when those journalists who insist on providing opinion and not facts, address themselves as “opinion writers.”

Mr. Curley notes that President Trump (whose name was bound to come up) made “disparaging” statements about the media; however, President Trump was speaking of journalist who promote “fake news” as opposed to those who do not rush to judgment. I agree with Mr. Curley and Thomas Jefferson that there is a need for real journalists and newspapers, but not when they are used to divide and create hostility.

Mark Desmarais

Spokane