When I was studying journalism at SAIT Polytechnic, I was told that my job would be a challenging one. I was told I would be faced with controversial situations in my career and as an inquiring journalist I would probably be inclined to pick a side during the controversy. I was told that the opposing sides would try to persuade me. However, it is not my job to be persuaded. My job is to present both sides of the story, print all the facts offered to me and let the reader make the final decision. I will not leave negativity out of an article if it provides further detail to the story. I will not sugar coat destructive or unpleasant events. I will not spare the reputations of individuals, companies or organizations, if facts or quotes speak otherwise. That was not how I was taught, nor what I believe.
It took me by surprise when Director of Protective and Community Services, Albert Headrick, called me into his office following the council meeting on Tuesday, November 6th and made it clear what he thought of a recent article printed in the Crowsnest Pass Herald. The article, which he called biased and demoralizing, was about a fire that occurred in Coleman.
The fire sparked on Monday, October 29th, at a residence in West Coleman, devastating the house but fortunately leaving no fatalities. I received two very different sides of the story, in particular, the response time of the firefighters. One side was from Fire Chief Steve Munshaw. Munshaw told me that the response time of firemen was less than ten minutes and the fire was “under control” in under an hour. The other side was from two neighbours who witnessed the fire. These witnesses, who wished to remain anonymous, told me that it took at least 20 minutes to arrive on scene. They told me that they saw a lack of competence displayed from the firemen and were “disturbed” by the actions they took to put out the fire.
I was not present at the fire; therefore, because I received two very different sides to this story, I provided both sides, first from the fire chief, then from the witnesses.
I want to take a moment to say that I welcome any constructive criticism to all articles that I write. As a new journalist, it would be unwise not to. But unfortunately, the conversation Headrick had with me was far from what I would call constructive. I would call it bullying.
“I know you have a job to do and I don’t want to give you s*** but I don’t need this crap,” Headrick told me. I unknowingly recorded the entire conversation, as I had my recorder on from the council meeting only minutes before and had forgotten to turn it off.
“I dealt with this kind of s*** in Yellowknife, I will not deal with it here in the Crowsnest Pass, I’ll tell you that right now. You want to be part of my team and my process then print a balanced story. And make sure it’s fair and accurate. You print stuff that you haven’t even researched,” Headrick said.
My research took place when I called Fire Chief Steve Munshaw, interviewed him and provided the information he told me in my article.
Headrick told me, “Your paper has been after our ass since the incident has happened. Back off. If you continue to go down this road, Lindsay, it’s not going to get nice.”
Yelling, pointing his index finger at my face and using profanity were included in the lecture Headrick felt the need to give me, which was shorter than four minutes long and was abruptly ended with me leaving his office.
I may be new to the journalism industry but I know enough about the business to understand that this is inexcusable behaviour, especially from a man of his position. It is impertinent and offensive. It is highly unprofessional. It’s unfortunate that a member of administration in the Crowsnest Pass felt that he had the right to speak to a member of the press this way.
Before my short one-on-one with Headrick, he had called a meeting for the following day between the two sisters of the woman whose house burnt down, as well as myself to further “discuss” the article and the information provided in it. It should be noted that the other two women were at Tuesday night’s council meeting and contradicted Headrick in the public input portion of council after the Coleman fire was discussed. I told Headrick that I would bring my publisher, Lisa Sygutek, to which he immediately told me not to.
“If you start printing a balanced story, than maybe I will entertain both of ya’s,” Headrick told me.
The funny thing is, he doesn’t need to “entertain” us. If that is what he thinks he is doing by speaking to the press, “entertaining” then he must not understand what our jobs are. Our job is to present the news. We turn to members of administration for the information for the news. Headrick is not my boss, parent or superior. He is not my bully either.
We have not received an apology of any kind from Albert Headrick or administration. We have, however, been informed by Chief Administrative Officer Myron Thompson that they are in the process of seeking legal advice regarding a number of issues concerning our newspaper, via an email addressed to Sygutek.
So, were the numerous scare tactics from administration successful? Absolutely not. Time will tell and justice will prevail.
