The Difference Between "Reporting" and "Journalism"

A Milwaukee television station has a "you ask, we investigate" segment on their evening news.

On Monday nights "investigative" report, Steve Chamraz, WTMJ 4 reporter discusses an Oconomowoc mothers concern after capturing a picture of a man who happened to be OC'ing playing with his kids in a popular local park.

You can view this report here: http://www.jrn.com/tmj4/news/you-ask-we-investigate/Gun-on-playground-sparks-2nd-Amendment-debate-258050091.html

This may well have been the end of the story if not for the fact the reporter misrepresents Wisconsinites right to carry when he declares that Oconomowoc bans guns from public places such as parks. He suggests it is ILLEGAL for Oconomowoc residents to carry (openly or concealed) in public in Oconomowoc.

Wisconsin Carry, concerned that thousands of viewers have been misled, reached out to the reporter via Twitter to let him know the "investigative" reporting was inaccurate. We shared Wisconsin Statute 66.0409 that declares local municipalities may not have gun laws stricter than state law.

Unfortunately, rather than seize the opportunity to get accurate information out to viewers or at least "investigate", the local reporter demonstrates the difference between "reporting" and "journalism" with the following series of tweets.

/Content/files/blogs/the_difference_between_reporting_and_journalism.jpg

Here at Wisconsin Carry, we recognize that guns rarely get a fair shake in the media, but we also believe that reporters have a professional obligation to get accurate information to viewers and not just wash their hands of a story when facts are misrepresented (or disputed).

If you use Twitter, contact Steve Chamraz @tmj4steve and ask him to give the truth a fair shake on local news OR re-tweet Wisconsin Carry's most recent tweet. www.twitter.com/wisconsincarry

If you do not use twitter, please send Channel 4 vice-president and General Manager "Joe Poss" an email:
jposs@jrn.com

Ask him to hold his reporters accountable for the accuracy of information they present to the viewers.

We recognize that everyone can make mistakes and get a story wrong, but true journalists have a professional obligation to dispel misinformation, not wash their hands of it.