Ariel Roblin: The ABC10 shooting was an attack on our community
The recent shooting at ABC10 was not just an attack on a building – it was an attack on our community and on the people who live and work in our neighborhoods. Our newsrooms are filled with people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, united by a commitment to the truth. We debate, we challenge each other, and we work hard to get it right. Stations like ours are licensed by the FCC, with a responsibility to serve the interests of the public. But we live in an age where some media operations make money by presenting only one side of the story, littered with opinions and hypotheticals. It's not wrong, in fact, it's all protected by our First Amendment rights. It's just a completely different format and focus of their organizations, compared to the mission of local journalists. The reality is that facts can feel uncomfortable when they don't align with personal beliefs.In one newscast we cover an enormous amount of information, from breaking news to top headlines, from weather to sports, from stories celebrating our community to change makers that bring us hope and give us pride in our hometown. When it comes to those complicated, divisive topics, we seek out all sides to inform with context, not simply reinforce existing beliefs. And we welcome constructive comments to ensure we're considering different ideas and evaluating issues from all angles. That is a productive public discourse. We know an editorial won't change the minds of those who believe the media is biased.Covering the news has become more dangerous and when someone attacks a local news organization they don't just target local journalists—they undermine the First Amendment and hurt the entire community.Ariel Roblin is the president and general manager of KCRA 3 and My58. See more of her editorials here.
