|
To all concerned at PDI,
I'm sure you have received many emails from angry people blasting you
for publishing the story on Art Bell's alleged comments regarding
Filipinos (which is a known hoax dating back for at least three years)
without researching it. Therefore, I would like to offer some logic.
Although the research for this particular story would have been
extremely easy and would have prevented so much suffering on the part of
Art Bell and his family, which includes a wife of Filipino origin, I'm
not going to "scream" at anyone in this e-mail. I'm writing to say that
I understand that mistakes are made. Even the best of us (including all
of those who have undoubtedly written you angry e-mails) make mistakes
that, when we look back on them, make us shake our heads and say "What
was I THINKING???"
The truth is, it isn't the mistake that has the potential to do the most
damage here... it's the failure to redeem yourselves from the mistake by
refusing to swiftly correct it. This can be done by simply admitting the
mistake, printing a VERY visible, full retraction and article, and
pledging to practice diligence in preventing such a thing from ever
happening again.
Unfortunately, there are many people in this world who pay a very high
price for the service they provide to humanity. This is because there
are so many "idle hands" who have nothing better to do than plan the
destruction of those working to improve the human condition.
The beauty of all of this is that anything negative can be turned around
into something positive... perhaps you might want to honor Art Bell's
wife, Ramona, by doing a feature article on her? From what I understand
she is an amazing woman... and would have to be to endure the many
hardships brought on her and her husband by the childish pranksters who
create chaos for them in such a cowardly manner.
Use your public forum as a means to remind everyone of just how easy it
is to assassinate one's character and perhaps others won't be so quick
to assume that everything they read is true. This would be a blessing in
itself.
In closing, let me say that how you handle this will determine how you
are viewed not only by your own readers (who will undoubtedly discover
the truth whether you print a retraction or not) but to all of us who
are now aware of your publication only because of the tragic mistake
made by your reporter and/or other members of your staff. Remember: the
media faces enough hostility as it is. It's important not to perpetuate
the myth that all media is unreliable, and you can do your part by
admitting your mistake and correcting it at once!
With great love and respect for all,
Dr. Claire Reed
| 
