Public Editor: New editor chaperones JH Weekly’s conscience

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

By Mike Bressler

Mary and Matt asked me to be the JH Weekly’s public editor. “Hell yeah,” I said. I thought for a moment then asked, “What is a public editor?” They didn’t seem to know either, but they said The New York Times has one and the Jackson Hole News&Guide doesn’t. Sounds like a good enough reason to me!

To better understand my new job I went to journalists’ number one source – Wikipedia. “The job of the public editor is to supervise the implementation of proper journalism ethics at a newspaper … as a valuable symbol of a high standard of ethics for a newspaper, the firing of a public editor over any criticisms they might have would contradict their purpose.” I’m not sure what they mean by journalism ethics but in this economy, you would have to be an idiot to turn down a job that’s own purpose would be contradicted if they fired you!

Because Jackson is a small town and the JH Weekly is selective in the stories it pursues, and because I can’t resist, I will occasionally write about unique cultural phenomenon observed and reported on by the JH Weekly. Also, because they offer such an easy target and because I always rooted for David over Goliath, I will sporadically cast pearls of journalism morals before the trampling feet of our friendly competitors, the News&Guide. So here are my first observations from the news stories of Feb. 3.

Last week’s “Planet” reported that Fitzgerald’s Bikes are “hosting the first of what could turn into a series of indoor virtual bike races” where “riders can watch themselves compete against their competitors on a big screen television that will simulate a hilly bike race.” This is almost as bad as a heated indoor arena for cowboys! If I may politely inquire, is indoor virtual reality why you moved here from New Jersey?

Ben Cannon’s story told of the tribulations of the Teton Ice Park an “artificial ice-climbing area.” Artificial ice-climbing? I had to check this out. Apparently, the Teton Ice Park offers ice climbing on a 100 by 100 foot cliff in the Grand Targhee Parking lot. The ice is formed with the assistance of a 3000 gallon tanker truck and low flow shower heads. I doubt either the ice or the climbing is artificial, but I do question the fee of $360 for a full day of guiding. In an attempt to rescue any remaining maintain dignity associated with the profession, I would request the word “guide” not be used in conjunction with parking lot ice climbing.

Lastly, is a quote from Christie Koriakin’s story on snowflakes. “(Kenneth) Libbrecht, Professor of Physics and the Physics Department Chair at the California Institute of Technology, has been studying and photographing snowflakes for more than 10 years.” Really? Perhaps this is the one man who could comprehend the meaning of an indoor virtual bike race. JHW

Send your questions, comments, grievances and ideas to the Public Editor, publiceditor@planetjh.com.
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