Determination
86
Minnesota
News Council
In the Matter of the Complaint of
Lao Family Community of Minnesota, Inc. against the Twin Cities Reader
Appearing on behalf of the Twin Cities Reader were D.
J. Tice and Ruth Hammond. Appearing for the complainant was Nkajlo V.
Vangh, president and chairman of the board of Lao Family Community,
who was accompanied by Stephen Young. Other persons from the Hmong community
were also present.
Background: In the fall of 1989 the Twin Cities
Reader published two lengthy articles about the Hmong community. The
second article discussed the activities of the Lao Family Community
of Minnesota, Inc. (hereinafter Lao Family, Inc.), which is the grievant
here. Grievant claims the article unfairly depicts its activities
in that it suggests:
- That Lao Family, Inc., is dominated by persons
associated with General Vang Pao, who heads a resistance movement
in Laos known as the Neo Hom;
- That Lao Family, Inc., is being used by its leaders
for political purposes in a manner inconsistent with the social
service mission of the organization; and
- That elections in Lao Family, Inc., are not free
and open.
In addition, grievant contends that the article violates
proper journalistic practices because:
- The article highlighted passages in the article
unfavorable to Lao Family, Inc., by putting these passages in bold
print inserts on each page of the article;
- The article relied on anonymous sources; and
- The good social work of Lao Family, Inc., was
downplayed and the problems of branches in other cities were stressed.
Discussion: The article relates in detail
facts and circumstances suggesting a connection between the persons
active in Lao Family, Inc., and persons involved in the Neo Hom resistance
movement. At one point, however, the article states, "To put matters
in perspective . . . a link with Neo Hom could probably be established
for any number of institutions that have Hmong employees." The article
also quotes the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Division as stating
that "LFC of Minnesota has a good record both for social service provision
and financial management." After the Twin Cities Reader received complaints
about its story, it invited complainant to respond with a letter to
the editor. Such a letter from "The Yangs and the Vangs" was then
published. The letter is largely devoted to a defense of General Vang
Pao, "whom we look upon as our father."
We have carefully reviewed the article and find that
it sets out facts and circumstances supportive of its point of view.
While that point of view is critical of Lao Family, Inc., we cannot
say that the criticism reflects unfair distortion or bias. The grievance
as to unfair bias is denied.
The claims of improper journalistic practices are
also denied. The article highlights selected portions of the text
to emphasize the article's point of view, but we cannot say that this
was not within the editorial discretion of the newspaper.
It appears Hammond, the writer of the article, had
conducted extensive research. She states she was compelled to use
anonymous sources for some of the statements in the article because
her sources, concerned about threats of harassment and to their personal
safety, insisted on remaining anonymous. While statements attributable
to identified sources are preferable, we cannot say that under the
unusual circumstances here the use of anonymous sources was abused.
The grievance is denied.
Concurring: Ashmore, Falkman, Hanley, Parrish,
Pennock, Simonett, Stauffer, Sundin, Swain, Warder
Abstaining: Graham, Orwoll, Tanick
October 18, 1990
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Determination 87
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