Yellow Journalism in Commerce City - Colorado

February 08, 2006

Yellow Journalism In Commerce City

Yellow Journalism In Commerce City

It seems that all of Colorado is aflame with Pitbull Hysteria, and local suburbs of Denver are getting into the act by passing their own breed restrictions or bans - like Commerce City.

Helping to fan the flames of fear and ignorance is one Kathryn McIntyre, editor of the local rag, Commerce City Gateway. Last month, following the enactment of a local ordinance that requires dog owners of pitbulls to "register", Ms. McIntyre took it upon herself to then publish the street addresses of dog owners who own pitbulls, entitled, "Registered Pit Bulls In Commerce City". Kathryn McIntyre wrote,

"As a public service to our readers we are listing the addresses of the homes where currently registered pit bulls reside".

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Kathryn McIntyre then ran the "piece" with the official Commerce City logo, like the one above, deliberately inferring the official endorsement of the city of Commerce City.

Have these dogs or owners done anything wrong? No. It sounds to me like convicted sex offenders or drunk drivers have more standing in Commerce City than dog owners.

Her decision to publish these addresses created even more fear and anger in Commerce City, even drawing criticism from the Poynter Institute, however, Kathryn defended her actions in an article by the Rocky Mountain News, stating, "They lost their privacy when they registered their pit bulls" .

Lack Of Integrity Can Be Profitable

Let's call a spade a spade Kathryn - your actions can be called many things , but not journalism. What comes to mind, Kathryn, is that your lack of journalistic integrity and irresponsible, substandard reporting has led you to sensationalize the issue to sell more papers, thereby increasing circulation and ad revenues, all the while gratifying your need to feel righteous. You are a profiteer, madam, and there is a name for your brand of "reporting" - it's called Yellow Journalism.

BTW, Kathryn, you lost your right to privacy on this issue by publishing - period - and therefore, as a public service to our readers here at DogPolitics.com, I've decided to publish the results of the phone calls I made to each of your advertisers...........
















Straight To The Source

This blogger decided to go straight to the source - meaning the local advertisers who are the source of the Commerce City Gateway's revenue - because at the end of the day - papers exist for only one reason - to sell ad space. As they say - money talks and bull.... But I had questions, like....

• What did advertiser's think of the Commerce City Gateway's editorial decision to publish the street addresses of dog owners of pit bulls?
• Did they agree or disagree, and why?
• Did it help or harm their businesses?
• We're they even aware?
• Were advertisers aware that dog owners are approaching 50% of U.S. households, giving them tremendous buying power and economic clout?