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To Show Muhammad Cartoons or Not?

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Dallas Readers Had to Opt In to See Provocative Images

Mei-Mei Chan, Rodney Brooks Taking Gannett Retirements

Suddenly, Photographer Is “the Next Gordon Parks”

Ric Harris Named General Manager of NBC Stations in Philly

NABJ Contest Underway; Drew Berry Drops Out

“Warmth of Other Suns” to Be Adapted as Limited Series

Al Jazeera America CEO Dismissed Amid Turmoil

Dianne White Clatto Dies at 77, First Black Weathercaster

Short Takes

Dallas Readers Had to Opt In to See Provocative Images

When an anti-Muslim group’s contest to see who could draw the most provocative cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad ended near Dallas Sunday with two assailants dead, one ethical challenge again faced news outlets: whether to show the images of Muhammad that caused the controversy, images some say are forbidden in Islam.

Mike Wilson, editor of the Dallas Morning News, chose a way to show the cartoons — but only if readers wanted to see them.

“At the event Sunday night, the organizers displayed a collage of contest entries,” Wilson explained to Journal-isms by email. “On Monday morning, we ran a small photo of that collage so readers could get a sense of the kind of thing people were entering in the contest.

“On Tuesday on Dallasnews.com, we posted photos of two of the contest entries. They did not appear on the page with the editorial; readers had to click on a link to get to them.

“We made the images available to readers because they are part of the story, but because we know they are sensitive images, we arranged it so readers had to opt in to see them.”

The issues surrounding the cartoon event have mushroomed into those of national security, eclipsing the free speech debate.

As Ray Leszcynski, Todd J. Gillman and Michael E. Young wrote Wednesday for the Morning News, “The Islamic State on Tuesday claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack by two gunmen outside Garland’s Curtis Culwell Center. But while the White House has called the assault an ‘act of terror,’ officials said a possible connection to the extremist group remained under investigation. . . .”

Still, free-speech and ethical issues were debated from the Morning News editorial page to New York, where in January, Dean Baquet, executive editor of the New York Times, was lambasted for deciding not to publish the cartoons of the prophet that ran in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Their publication led to a January massacre at Hebdo’s Paris offices that left 12 dead, including five cartoonists.

Among Baquet’s concerns were the sensitivities of Muslim readers, as Public Editor Margaret Sullivan wrote then. “To many of them, he said, depictions of the prophet Muhammad are sacrilegious; those that are meant to mock even more so. ‘We have a standard that is long held and that serves us well: that there is a line between gratuitous insult and satire. Most of these are gratuitous insult.’ . . .”

The debate carried over into the literary world Tuesday, where, as Jennifer Schuessler reported for the Times that day, “Two members of Charlie Hebdo, the French satirical magazine, took the stage to a thundering standing ovation at PEN American Center’s literary gala on Tuesday night, capping a 10-day debate over free speech, blasphemy and Islamophobia that started in the cozy heart of the New York literary world and spread to social media and op-ed pages worldwide.”

Schuessler also wrote, “The dinner took an unexpected dramatic cast after news that six prominent writers, including Peter Carey, Michael Ondaatje and Francine Prose, had pulled out to protest what they saw as Charlie Hebdo’s racist and Islamophobic content.

“The writers’ decision sent arguments and insults flying. Some 200 PEN members signed a letter of protest saying that the award crossed a line between ‘staunchly supporting expression that violates the acceptable, and enthusiastically rewarding such expression.’ . . .”

And so it was with the thumb-in-the-eye contest in Texas to draw the Prophet Muhammad. The Morning News editorial page gave voice to competing views.

In an editorial Tuesday, the newspaper wrote, organizer “Pamela Geller used her free-speech right to stamp firmly on the line between provocative and offensive and scrub it into the dust.

“An angry response was the purpose, not a byproduct, of her American Freedom Defense Initiative conclave this weekend in suburban Garland. A $10,000 ‘cartoon contest’ was a thumb in the eye to Muslims who believe depictions of the prophet Muhammad are blasphemous. As incitement goes, this was intentional.

“Too bad, say Geller and her followers. Free speech, that bedrock American value, gives them the right. Don’t like it? Turn the page.

“And they’re right, within the bounds of lawful behavior. . . .”

But editorial writer Jim Mitchell countered in his column, “People tend to forget that the First Amendment describes the relation of the government to the people, not the relationship of individuals to individuals. . . .

“The First Amendment and court rulings affirming the First Amendment prevent the government from blocking free expression. That is why the government did not block the Westboro, Skokie and Garland protests. I, too, would protect the rights of those folks and never would suggest that the government shut down such expressions. In fact, in each instance, the government had police on the scene to protect free expression in the face of potential violent confrontation.

“However, free expression has consequences and limits. This is why we have defamation and libel laws that allow individuals to challenge false assertions. Speech is not absolute otherwise these laws would not exist. . . .

“In my mind, the draw-the-prophet contest falls into the category of hateful satire. And, like all speech, especially hateful or insulting speech, can foster hateful or violent retaliation. Potentially, that is a price or consequence of any expression of ideas. In this context, you can’t hide behind free speech claims to avoid criticism.

“When a couple of guys pick up weapons and go into a meeting with the intent to kill, they have broken other laws and deserve to be prosecuted. It’s as wrong as if they walked into a church or school with an intent to do harm or settle a grudge or a real or perceived offense.

“No, I don’t want review committees, and I never suggested as much. If you want to have a conversation about Islamic extremism, have at it. But I don’t have to endorse someone else’s crude foolishness in the name of free speech.”

Mei-Mei Chan, Rodney Brooks Taking Gannett Retirements

Mei-Mei Chan, president and publisher of Gannett Co.’s the News-Press Media Group in Fort Myers, Fla., and Rodney Brooks, apparently the last remaining African American news manager at USA Today, are among Gannett employees taking early retirement, the two told Journal-isms on Wednesday.

Gannett said little about the USA Today departures, with spokeswoman Amber Allman responding via email to an inquiry with a terse “We’ve recently had some employees take an early retirement” and leaving follow-up questions unanswered. However, Brian Gallagher, editorial page editor since 2004, confirmed that he and the opinion pages editor since 1991, Glen Nishimura, are also taking early retirement.

Asked what he and Nishimura would like to do next, Gallagher messaged, “This came up too fast for any plans to be in place, but maybe we’ll try the senior golf tour.”

The News-Press published an article Tuesday about Chan’s upcoming departure and a farewell piece from Chan. Her departure is separate from the USA Today early retirements.

“Forty-eight years ago, I crossed the world as a precocious 7-year-old from China to ‘Gum San,’ the Golden Mountain of opportunity called America,” Chan’s piece began.

“Thirty-four years ago, I began my journey in the news media business, which took me across the country from The Commercial-News in Danville, Ill.; to USA TODAY and (now defunct) USA Weekend in Washington; the Chicago Sun-Times; the Post-Register in Idaho Falls, Idaho; and the Seattle Times.

“Five years ago, I arrived in paradise, in the most gratifying role of my career, as president and publisher of The News-Press Media Group. . . .”

Asked what she’d like to do next, Chan messaged Journal-isms, ” Breathe. Rejuvenate. Write.”

Brooks has been personal finance editor and columnist at USA Today since 2010, joining the newspaper in 1985 from the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“I can tell you that I will be writing a retirement column . . . . It will appear in print and online. Still working out the details on which day and when it will start,” Brooks messaged. “And I can’t talk about the other one yet, but it is a well-known web site.” 

Suddenly, Photographer Is “the Next Gordon Parks”

“Last Saturday, Devin Allen, snapped a photo at the intersection of Charles and Putnam Street in Baltimore, not knowing the impact the image would have on his city and his personal life,” Charise Frazier reported Saturday for NBC News.

“The black and white photo, which went viral moments after Allen tweeted it out, profiles a young black male with a handkerchief tied around his face, running away from the police, sketched in stark relief in the far distance.

“By Thursday it was on the cover of one of America’s most notable publications, TIME Magazine.

“And Allen’s life quickly changed.

” ‘I went from, “Hey that’s Devin,” to “Oh, he’s like Kendrick Lamar with a camera. He’s the next Gordon Parks,” ‘ Allen, 26, said.

“Allen along with over 2,000 protestors had gathered in downtown Baltimore on Saturday to protest the death of 25-year old Freddie Gray, who died due to a spinal injury after being arrested by police. . . .”

Meanwhile, BET announced that “Baltimore Speaks: A BET News Special“premieres on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET and PT on the BET and Centric cable channels and the BET Now app. The network also said the show “will feature candid conversations about the convergence of hot button issues of justice and race in America.”

TV One aired a two-hour prime-time special on Tuesday, “State of Emergency: Baltimore and Beyond: News One Now Town Hall Meeting,” a live town hall meeting in Baltimore hosted by Roland Martin. It was to re-air on “News One Now With Roland Martin” on Wednesday and Thursday.

Ric Harris Named General Manager of NBC Stations in Philly

“Ric Harris is the new President and General Manager of NBC10 and Telemundo62, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, President Valari Staab announced Tuesday,” Vince Lattanzio reported Tuesday for Philadelphia’s WCAU-TV.

” ‘I’m very excited. I love the whole idea of the two stations together — the synergy, the leverage we have is going to make us even stronger in the marketplace,’ Harris said at an afternoon meeting where he was introduced to the staff of both stations.

“Harris, a 51-year-old married father of three boys, served as President and General Manager of NBC Connecticut (WVIT), the NBC-owned station in Hartford, for the past two years. During his tenure, the station rose to the number one position in the market among Adults 25-54 for late news and he oversaw a strengthening in the station’s sales revenue. . . .”

The station also has an African American news director in Anzio Williams.

In the 2012 edition of the National Association of Black Journalists’ diversity survey of the television industry, nine general managers were African American, according to NABJ President Bob Butler. NABJ examined 296 stations owned by 19 companies. Butler would not name the nine, messaging that anyone interested “can ask me privately but I don’t release the names publicly.”

NABJ Contest Underway; Drew Berry Drops Out

The campaign for leadership of the National Association of Black Journalists began with certification of candidates on Monday, but Drew Berry, a broadcast consultant and former station manager and news director, dropped out of the contest for treasurer the next day.

“Time did not permit me to run an effective campaign because of a new contract with a number of media companies” and the need for strategic planning to serve those clients, Berry told Journal-isms by telephone, adding that he remained available to help NABJ in any way he could.

Berry’s withdrawal leaves Greg Morrison, assignment editor for the affiliate content center at CNN, as the sole candidate for treasurer. Morrison said by telephone, “I’m still running for treasurer, and I want every vote I can get.”

Berry, a former NABJ Finance Committee chairman, has been a critic of the current leadership on financial matters, and his eligibility to serve on the board has been questioned privately by some veterans who have said a recently revised constitution has allowed nonworking journalists to serve as officers. Both the revisions and the private questioning are responses to changes in the news industry and the changing definitions of who is a journalist.

Berry, president of Drew Berry and Associates, counters that he now trains journalists, has been given the NABJ President’s Award twice and has been certified by the NABJ Elections Committee. Still, he said, any kinks in the new constitution should be addressed.

Likewise, some have questioned privately whether Keith Reed, the current treasurer, isn’t risking a conflict of interest by remaining treasurer until his term expires this summer. Reed has accepted a job as deputy press secretary for Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. He told Journal-isms by email that those who objected had not complained to him.

Reed messaged, “I say a) it’s interesting none of those people have expressed this directly to me. I tend not to give much weight to people who don’t have the courage to ask me about my situation directly. I’m not hard to find. And b ) those people should read our constitution and bylaws. They address very clearly what happens in the event of a job status change of a board member. In this instance membership status in NABJ doesn’t change and I’m not required to step down. I brought up my own status with the board at or meeting two weeks ago and this was discussed in open session. This is a non issue.”

Meanwhile, presidential candidate Sarah J. Glover, social media editor for NBC-Owned Television Stations, announced that she is leading a slate, and immediate past president Gregory Lee Jr. declared his support for it.

The slate includes Marlon A. Walker for vice president-print; Dorothy Tucker, vice president-broadcast; Benét J. Wilson, vice president-digital; Sherlon Christie, secretary; Dave Jordan, parliamentarian; and Marcus Vanderberg, Region IV director candidate.

Glover also created a campaign Facebook page and Twitter account.

Presidential candidate Mira Lowe, senior editor, features for CNN Digital, released a YouTube video with the theme “Elevate NABJ.”

Lowe also created a web page in which she mentions the “strife between some veteran members and the elected board of directors” and writes, “So many of us wish for NABJ to get past the dramatics. The same arguments. The same proposals. These are important days for our careers, our industry and our communities. We need new leadership if NABJ is to realize its untapped potential. I’m ready to lead the way. . . .”

“Warmth of Other Suns” to Be Adapted as Limited Series

“The prolific producers behind ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder are teaming with Pariah writer/director Dee Rees to adapt Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns as a limited series for FX, The Hollywood Reporter has learned,” Lesley Goldberg reported Tuesday for the Hollywood Reporter.

“The historical study, published in 2010, chronicles the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities, in search of a better life. From 1915 to 1970, the exodus of almost 6 million people changed the face of America.

“Wilkerson — who in 1994 became the first African-American woman to win [an individual] Pulitzer Prize in journalism for her coverage of the 1993 Midwestern floods — tells the story through the lives of Ida Mae Gladney, who in 1937 left Mississippi for Chicago; George Starling, who in 1945 fled Florida for Harlem; and Dr. Robert Pershing Foster, who left Louisiana for Los Angeles in 1953.

“Wilkerson gave up her post as Chicago Bureau Chief at The New York Times to pen the 622-page historical study, which took her 15 years. The book, which takes its title from a Richard Wright poem, received the National Book Award for Nonfiction and was a NYT best-seller — it was one of the paper’s best books of 2010 and earned several other accolades. . . .”

Dianne White Clatto Dies at 77, First Black Weathercaster

“Dianne White Clatto, who was the first black weathercaster in the country when she joined KSD-TV in 1962, said she ‘felt the weight of the world on my shoulders’ during her early years of broadcasting,’ ” Valerie Schremp Hahn reported Tuesday for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

” ‘I knew young (black) women looked up to me,’ she said during an interview with the Post-Dispatch in 2005. ‘To be a good model, you had to work hard. You had to develop your own style. You had to be disciplined. You just couldn’t stay up all night and model in the day.’

“Mrs. White Clatto died Monday (May 4, 2015) of natural causes at the McCormack House retirement center in St. Louis. She was 77.

“Mrs. White Clatto was such a driven, no-nonsense individual she penned her own obituary, put it on file at the funeral home, prepaid for her own arrangements and donated her body to Washington University School of Medicine, said her son, Chip Clatto. She did not want a memorial service, he said. . . .

“Mrs. White Clatto, the descendant of a Civil War general’s ‘mistress slave,’ was the first African-American model at several major St. Louis department stores. She earned the curator’s scholarship to the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she recalled she was one of 22 black students on campus. She spent more than 25 years at what’s now KSDK, working as a co-anchor, weather anchor and general assignment reporter. . . .”

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