Atoday Newsbreak 3/2/07 - The Law Of Unintended Consequences:, AToday Story on 3ABN Relations with West Frankfort Options

[sonshineonme]

ADVENTIST NEWS Round up
The Law of Unintended Consequences:
AToday Story on 3ABN Relations with West Frankfort
By Ervin Taylor, Adventist Today Executive Editor (27 February 2007)

In a recent news item, Adventist Today reported on relationships of the 3ABN organization and Mr. Danny Shelton with his home town of West Frankfort, Illinois. Under the headline “Southern Illinois Hometown City Leaders Laud Danny Shelton’s Support,” the AToday news item stated that Mr. Shelton is “very willing to lend a helping hand financially to the civic needs of his boyhood town” including support for a local “home for abused women and children.” We also reported that a “donation by 3ABN and Shelton that was the catalyst for a peer-mentoring program to begin on [the local high school] campus.”

AToday is in receipt of a transcript containing statements recently made during a portion of a program on the 3ABN network in which Mr. Shelton and, Dr. Walter Thompson, the chairman of the 3ABN Board, participated. According to this transcript of remarks they made live on the air, Dr. Thompson stated “One of the things we have been criticized [by Adventist Today] for [is] helping our community, for supporting our community, and being involved in it…”

Here is the background to the story. AToday was informed that Mr. Shelton and 3ABN enjoyed good relations with at least one neighboring town. The AToday Executive Editor was aware of the allegations that AToday was only interested in negative stories about Mr. Shelton and 3ABN. Although these accusations were and are untrue, a conscious editorial decision was made to pursue a story about 3ABN and/or Mr. Shelton which would be viewed by any reasonable reader in a positive light. An AToday Assistant Editor visited the area and interviewed members of the West Frankfort community. The data that he collected confirmed what had been reported to AToday. The story was duly written and distributed by means of an ATNewsbreak report and on the AToday web site.

The publication of what the AToday Executive Editor assumed would be positively received was immediately attacked and criticized by Mr. Shelton and Dr. Thompson. It appears that we have here yet another illustration of the “Law of Unintended Consequences.” The AToday Executive Editor has learned a valuable lesson. Continue to simply report the facts and don’t worry about how the facts will be interpreted.

This post has been edited by sonshineonme: Mar 2 2007, 05:03 PM

[Observer]

The publication of what the AToday Executive Editor assumed would be positively received was immediately attacked and criticized by Mr. Shelton and Dr. Thompson. It appears that we have here yet another illustration of the “Law of Unintended Consequences.” The AToday Executive Editor has learned a valuable lesson. Continue to simply report the facts and don’t worry about how the facts will be interpreted.

We have seen this same dynamic in other contexts:

The report of the ASI attempt to mediate, as posted on the 3-ABN website contains material that is simply false, as first posted, anyway.

There are several 3-ABN defenders who consistently mis-quote posts made by those defending Linda. I sometimes simply ignore such made about me. Why add fuel to the fire? Without fuel it will burn out.

[PeacefulBe]

In their defense, I believe the on-air discussion of the AToday article about the 3abn donations to sports and centers in West Frankfort was more likely a response to the discussion here about the use of donations rather than a criticism of AT reporting of said donations.

Yes, I think we are the bee in the bonnet (buzzing that pesky thing called truth), the little mouse (that roared), just a little group (with surprising influence)!

[Richard Sherwin]

Having had several hundred bees in my bonnet I can tell you that they have a way of getting your attention right now, though they are such a little thing they can cause much discomfort. That is how it seems that 3abn is reacting to BSDA, Maritime, AToday and "that little group" known as save3abn.

Richard

In their defense, I believe the on-air discussion of the AToday article about the 3abn donations to sports and centers in West Frankfort was more likely a response to the discussion here about the use of donations rather than a criticism of AT reporting of said donations.

Yes, I think we are the bee in the bonnet (buzzing that pesky thing called truth), the little mouse (that roared), just a little group (with surprising influence)!