From the Editor: They Want Better Journalism But Won’t Talk to Journalists

By Jacob Rueda

I’ve been running TheLine.Info for a little over two years. Since that time, I’ve spoken to different individuals: state officials, legislators, business owners, experts, and individuals knowledgeable in the topics that were covered. That’s why it comes as both a surprise, and annoyance, when lately my interview requests are ignored. I’ve already expressed my discontent in one video where I talk about how local police, who after promising they will get back to me, do anything but. Perhaps that was the goal all along.

It’s understandable that officials receive many requests and can’t make time for all of them. But overlooking them, or refusing to engage with smaller, local, or independent outlets can prove to be harmful by eroding trust and weakening accountability. If all they do is put out prepared statements and not engage with the press for fear of looking bad or "spilling the beans," as it were, then all it does is continue the public mistrust.

There is a serious communication problem going on today with much of it, at least in my opinion, being due to a lack of understanding. It’s not just the message that is misunderstood, but that people don’t understand how messaging is processed, vetted and shaped.

There is also a trust issue, which is understandable given that nowadays just about anything passes for “news” and anyone with a smartphone and a social media account does what they think is journalism or what they think passes for journalism.

Anyone with a smartphone and a social media account can share information and that’s fine. But sharing isn’t the same as reporting. Journalism requires verification, accountability, and the willingness to face scrutiny.

Add to that corporate ownership of news which has slowly eroded the quality of news, as well as the very presence of it in some instances.

What I find ironic, if not hypocritical, is how some elected officials, industry insiders, and other individuals complain about news coverage they or some issue they're involved in receive. They don’t like how a story is framed, or how their actions are represented by a corporate-owned local TV station or paper, so they accuse the media of bias, spin, and every other grievance they can come up with.

Yet when a responsible, independent outlet like TheLine.Info reaches out- one that’s small but principled, with a clear record of factual and fair reporting and no clickbait-y articles- they dismiss it. They act as if they’re too important to talk to the type of outlet that could tell their story honestly and in depth.

That’s the problem with the double standard at work today. Officials and others claim to want better journalism, but they refuse to engage with the journalists actually trying to deliver it, even if it is shown to them.

In every invitation I send through email, I add a link to the page as well as a link to my online portfolio. That way, everything is out in the open about what kind of stories are reported on TheLine.Info and who the interviewee will be speaking with is.

It’s important to recognize that the reluctance to engage is not solely limited to public officials. Many individuals in different sectors will choose silence over dialogue. That silence can lower the level of public discourse by creating ignorance based on assumptions, hearsay, and stereotypes.

Each person, regardless of their role, has the opportunity to foster understanding and transparency. By sharing their perspectives, they not only contribute to meaningful conversations but also challenge misconceptions, especially of the topics being covered. Openness and understanding can pave the way for more substantial connections and insights that benefit everyone involved.

In the end, if the public wants better journalism, it has to start with access and respect. Independent reporters - and I mean actual reporters with experience gathering information and talking to people, not people with a TikTok or Instagram account chasing followers - are not the enemy. Depending on the outlet, independent reporters are often among the few still willing to ask the questions that matter especially when larger organizations can’t or won’t. I don’t expect every official, agency, or interviewee to like every question that’s asked, but basic professionalism and honesty is always on the table.

Ignoring small, independent outlets doesn’t make the tough questions go away. In fact, it only widens the gap between businesses, public institutions, and the people they serve. In spite of the challenges, TheLine.Info will keep doing what it has done, which is pursue honest, independent journalism that values depth, accuracy, and accountability.