Appalling grenade?

[Dallas Brave]

See I read every word of that and I don't see where KW fails. Where do you suggest he does not adhere?

I grabbed the first one that I think KW has failed on several times:

I believe that clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.

If JL is gone in 20 days, then I will issue an apology to KW on this board. If JL is still the coach for next year, then I think KW should do the honorable thing and resign. I'm not simply sticking up for JL as I have had my fill of his small ball player rotation ... but that doesn't mean I support what I think is hatchet journalism.

[Braves4Life]

If JL is gone in 20 days, then I will issue an apology to KW on this board. If JL is still the coach for next year, then I think KW should do the honorable thing and resign. I'm not simply sticking up for JL as I have had my fill of his small ball player rotation ... but that doesn't mean I support what I think is hatchet journalism.

You guys fail to understand that this is an opinion piece..... an editorial. KW simply has stated his opinion that he thinks JL will likely be gone. Nothing more, nothing less. He's not reporting any facts here he's simply writing an opinion piece.

I'll tell you something fellas, this is small potatoes compared to what journalists would be saying about a losing or mediocre coach/program in a bigger town. This ain't Mayberry folks. It's the real world and sometime the truth hurts.

[Beninator]

I grabbed the first one that I think KW has failed on several times:

I believe that clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.

If JL is gone in 20 days, then I will issue an apology to KW on this board. If JL is still the coach for next year, then I think KW should do the honorable thing and resign. I'm not simply sticking up for JL as I have had my fill of his small ball player rotation ... but that doesn't mean I support what I think is hatchet journalism.

+1

Very well stated!

[squirrelgotdead]

I grabbed the first one that I think KW has failed on several times:

I believe that clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.

If JL is gone in 20 days, then I will issue an apology to KW on this board. If JL is still the coach for next year, then I think KW should do the honorable thing and resign. I'm not simply sticking up for JL as I have had my fill of his small ball player rotation ... but that doesn't mean I support what I think is hatchet journalism.

Kirk never said JL would be gone in 20 days. See this is the kind of stuff you probably claim as inaccurate. And he never flat out said it. This is what he did say:

And yes, they reminded us why Jim Les’ days remaining as head coach likely number fewer than 20.

He removed himself from the statement. He took great care in crafting what he did say. I read that statement and it rings true, and I can't remember the last person I know that follows the program (outside of an elderly lady who doesn't want him to go because she enjoys looking at him) that doesn't feel that way.

And his words today...

I’m also sure I am right about this: The unofficial countdown to the end of Jim Les‘s career as head coach has begun. It’s important to emphasize, nothing is set in stone.

Kirk's been around the business decades at various levels and knows the warning signs when he sees them. I trust his instincts in that regard. And again, he's stating his opinion that he feels it's likely WHILE indicating he could very well be wrong. He even uses the word "unofficial."

He does not have an obligation to make Bradley fans happy, and he seems to honor his obligation and take great care in what he writes to not violate journalistic ethics.

[Da Coach]

Even though he delivered the message early why shoot the messenger.

I don't know why you need this explained. There is no message. It was created by the messenger.
See the journalist's creed.


And squirrel, he lobbed the grenade with the express intent of causing as much damage to Jim Les and his coaching staff as he could, and promoting such a thing will damage the coaches recruiting efforts. Don't be so naive and say he is just writing an opinion piece. He knew exactly what he was doing. He owes Bradley fans and Coach Les a huge apology. Irresponsible and unethical.

[Disturbed]

Kirk never said JL would be gone in 20 days. See this is the kind of stuff you probably claim as inaccurate. And he never flat out said it. This is what he did say:



He removed himself from the statement. He took great care in crafting what he did say. I read that statement and it rings true, and I can't remember the last person I know that follows the program (outside of an elderly lady who doesn't want him to go because she enjoys looking at him) that doesn't feel that way.

And his words today...



Kirk's been around the business decades at various levels and knows the warning signs when he sees them. I trust his instincts in that regard. And again, he's stating his opinion that he feels it's likely WHILE indicating he could very well be wrong. He even uses the word "unofficial."

He does not have an obligation to make Bradley fans happy, and he seems to honor his obligation and take great care in what he writes to not violate journalistic ethics.

I agree with you. He didn't state anything as fact. Only doing his job.

[Bravesfan]

I grabbed the first one that I think KW has failed on several times:

I believe that clear thinking, clear statement, accuracy and fairness are fundamental to good journalism.

If JL is gone in 20 days, then I will issue an apology to KW on this board. If JL is still the coach for next year, then I think KW should do the honorable thing and resign. I'm not simply sticking up for JL as I have had my fill of his small ball player rotation ... but that doesn't mean I support what I think is hatchet journalism.

I wouldn't even give him an apology if I were in your shoes DB. If KW knows something about Les's future, then say it now and cite the source!

THAT'S the least of what I expect from a journalist!

[squirrelgotdead]

And squirrel, he lobbed the grenade with the express intent of causing as much damage to Jim Les and his coaching staff as he could, and promoting such a thing will damage the coaches recruiting efforts. Don't be so naive and say he is just writing an opinion piece. He knew exactly what he was doing. He owes Bradley fans and Coach Les a huge apology. Irresponsible and unethical.

See the Journalist's Creed...

KW does not have an obligation to Bradley or its fan base. He has an obligation to record his opinion based on the information and facts he has available (which may or may not be public or on record) and if deemed appropriate, distribute it in a responsible fashion. If you read the creed, it indicates he has no obligation to appease special interests but does have an obligation to the larger audience (since special interests generally conflict with the interest of fairness) which may be largely indifferent towards Bradley University.

[Chico]

Sounds to me like he is backing away from his more definitive statement in the previous column, and admitting he doesn't really know.
Which is exactly what I said was the case.

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?p=214990#post214990

Of course it hurts Bradley's recruiting. That is exactly the intent. IMO, that's irresponsible and unethical, but why does that surprise anyone?

Not me.

[Braves4Life]

I wouldn't even give him an apology if I were in your shoes DB. If KW knows something about Les's future, then say it now and cite the source!

THAT'S the least of what I expect from a journalist!

This is an EDITORIAL! The creed is slightly irrelevant here. Nothing is stated as fact and nothing is stated as definitive. He's not doing an investigative report here!! It's his opinion..... editorials are all about that. Nobody was slandered. And obviously our recruiting has not been anything to write home about the last few years. Otherwise we wouldn't suck so bad!

PLEASE, let's take bias out of this and realize KW is doing his job. Forget for a minute whether or not you find him worthy as a journalist. Editorials are held to a much different standard...... Journalism 101 folks.

[Da Coach]

I agree with you. He didn't state anything as fact. Only doing his job.

Funny. If that's true then KW does not even agree with himself.
See this thread regarding the apparent ethical dichotomy of Kirk Wessler regarding unproven rumors-

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17802

...we don??™t acknowledge rumors when they??™re found to lack substance.

Kirk Wessler 3/30/10

[Disturbed]

Funny. If that's true then KW does not even agree with himself.
See this thread regarding the apparent ethical dichotomy of Kirk Wessler regarding unproven rumors-

http://bradleyfans.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17802

...we don??™t acknowledge rumors when they??™re found to lack substance.

Kirk Wessler 3/30/10

Again, he only stated an opinion. I think it's likely JL could be fired at the end of the season. Did I just create a rumor?

[shaunguth]

You guys fail to understand that this is an opinion piece..... an editorial. KW simply has stated his opinion that he thinks JL will likely be gone. Nothing more, nothing less. He's not reporting any facts here he's simply writing an opinion piece.

Which makes it especially interesting that people were immediately posting that this "article" was "all fact".

[Bravesfan]

This is an EDITORIAL! The creed is slightly irrelevant here. Nothing is stated as fact and nothing is stated as definitive. He's not doing an investigative report here!! It's his opinion..... editorials are all about that. Nobody was slandered. And obviously our recruiting has not been anything to write home about the last few years. Otherwise we wouldn't suck so bad!

PLEASE, let's take bias out of this and realize KW is doing his job. Forget for a minute whether or not you find him worthy as a journalist. Editorials are held to a much different standard...... Journalism 101 folks.

WRONG! While an editorial is indeed comprised of someone's opinion, it still has to be based on fact. When someone says that Les's days are numbered (note he did not say IMO Les's days are numbered), they can't say that without some sort of proof. If as I just said he were to add "In My Opinion", that would have made a big difference.

That's not asking too much from him, is it?

[Disturbed]

WRONG! While an editorial is indeed comprised of someone's opinion, it still has to be based on fact. When someone says that Les's days are numbered (note he did not say IMO Les's days are numbered), they can't say that without some sort of proof. If as I just said he were to add "In My Opinion", that would have made a big difference.

That's not asking too much from him, is it?

Why would he have to say "in my opinion?" His pieces are all opinion pieces. He's not the beat writer.