“Suicide bombers: They made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Those were fighting words for about 45 outraged readers. The phase was placed over angelic photos of five Palestinian suicide bombers on the front page on April 3.
It appeared that suicide bombers were being glorified as martyrs. To many readers, with memories of Sept. 11 still fresh in their minds, the suicide bombers are terrorists.
Readers used choice words to describe the photo headline: “incomprehensible, irresponsible, dumb, in poor taste, an abomination.”
I was on vacation last week, so please pardon this delayed response. Assistant Reader Advocate Diane Dixon filled in admirably by writing a column the next day. She reported on the complaints and included a quote from Editor Patrick A. Yack: “It was an unfortunate choice of words. We need to be particularly sensitive during our editing process. It is unfortunate that the headline deterred readers from reading a compelling examination of why these men and women are taking these dramatic actions.”
Beyond the unfortunate headline, Kathy Brickell said the story from Knight-Tribune News Service was informative.
“The article attempted to point out the tragedy of taking children who have never had the chance to make intelligent, informed decisions on their own and teaching them to hate and ultimately die ‘for the cause.’ To me, these children are as much victims of terrorism as those who are ultimately the recipients of their actions. Children learn what they live, and I interpreted the article as trying to make that point. They do eventually become terrorists after years of brainwashing, but first and foremost they are children. Therein lies the tragedy.”
My comment: Understanding the actions of suicide bombers is not meant to endorse them, but the photo headline appeared to do that by referring to them as “making the ultimate sacrifice.” That appeared to inject opinion into the news.
If only that line had said: “Suicide bombers: Why do they do it?” That’s exactly what the Charlotte Observer used as its headline last Sunday over the same story.
Notes, mistakes
* A wire service story last Wednesday on a new card offering prescription discounts for low-income seniors failed to tell seniors where they can apply for the card. Here are the contacts. Phone: (800) 865-7211. Web site: www.together-rx.com. This and similar programs were reported in yesterday’s Call Box column. To obtain that same list, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to me at the address below.
* The annual list of summer camps will run in next Sunday’s Lifestyle section.
* A name was misspelled in the All First Coast Girls Soccer Team. It’s Courtney Caplin of St. Johns Country Day School. Sorry for the mistake.
Syndicated columnist contacts
* William F. Buckley, James Kilpatrick, Doonesbury — Universal Press Syndicate, 4520 Main St., Suite 700, Kansas City, MO 64111.
* David S. Broder, Ellen Goodman, William Raspberry, Robert J. Samuelson, George Will — Washington Post Writers Group, 1150 15th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20071.
* Clarence Page, Cal Thomas — Tribune Media Services, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60611.
* Mona Charen, Don Feder, Michelle Malkin, Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams — Creators Syndicate, 5777 Century Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
