Capitalism and the AP News

The Associated Press Bureau in Helena serves the state of Montana media without any major competition. All the newspapers, television and radio stations, covering state news must rely on AP because… there isn't anyone else. United Press pulled out years ago.

So who keeps AP on the straight and narrow? A few conscientious Montana newspeople work at that, and AP regularly heard from this old reporter. The public deserves thorough and thoughtful coverage. That's why I wrote memos to AP like the following item, found in my den this week:

To John Kuglin, AP Bureau Chief-Helena 4/17/98

Dear John,

I rise to defend the capitalistic system, because you may be harboring a socialistically inclined reporter person… perhaps someone newly graduated from a too liberal journalism school.

According to stories received this morning, Montana Power CEO, Bob Gannon, has "lashed out" at critics. Lashing out connotes a reactive shooting from the hip from someone unsure of his target, reacting in desperation. Bob Gannon does not do that. He takes cool dead aim at a preselected target. His company is a capitalistic organization devoted to making a profit for the stockholders. Although Montana Power keeps my house warm and pays millions in taxes, that in no way exempts it from honest public scrutiny.

Perhaps I am wrong, but it seems someone in your department probably doesn't understand that it is profit and taxes that make jobs and keeps our democratic but highly inefficient government operating. You and I know that anything else can be a lot of smoke, daydreams or disguised welfare. Some AP person or persons seem to not pass up any opportunity to take editorial pot shots at people in business.

When a big company is accused of something illegal or unsavory, founded or unfounded, their capitalistic spokesperson is not allowed to "refute" or "answer" the allegation. An AP story will most likely imply guilt by saying "a company spokesperson today 'DENIED.'"

Just a point, John, from a guy who admires anyone with the guts and brains to go out and run a business for "profit." I am also getting lazier with age and dislike rewriting unfairly weighted AP wire stories.

G. George Ostrom

(Answer) Dear George:

Nah, we don't have any socialistically inclined reporters on our staff that I know about, or recent graduates from a too liberal journalism school. And, no, AP does not make it a practice to take editorial pot shots at people in business. But, as the oldest living reporter, you raise an excellent point, one which I will pass on to the staff.

The point is that use of the phrase "lashed out" is very poor journalism. It was a vogue more than a quarter of a century ago when I covered the Montana Legislature (now you know how old I am), but it is a trite, useless expression. And as you say, we sure as heck shouldn't say "denied." I would prefer "answer," because if we say "refute," this means the person saying this is absolutely right.

How about Gannon "answered" critics?

Regards, John

The above critical exchange of correspondence was stronger than most during my 25 years in association with AP; and, there was a very positive side. During that quarter of a century, the KOFI News Department contributed far more news stories to AP than did any other station in Montana, and received, the most plaques and certificates for coverage and "co-operation."

John Kuglin and I are no longer involved with AP and the last time we talked we were still friends but did… keep a wary eye on each other.

G. George Ostrom is a Kalispell resident and a national award- winning Hungry Horse News columnist.