To: CATHERINE E. SHOICHET
St Petersburg Times
cshoichet@sptimes.com
From: Terri Latner
Airboat World Magazine
abw@airboatworld.com
Ms. Shoichet,
This letter is in reference to your article in the St. Petersburg Times on October 12, 2005. Webster’s dictionary defines noise as a loud, confused, or senseless shouting or outcry. I, as an airboat enthusiast and sportsman take offence to the use of this word by you when you are describing the sound projected by airboats. As a journalist you have an obligation to report facts and information to your readers without bias objection or opinion. To use a statement or word that projects such prejudice is unfair not only to the airboating community but to your readers that may not be familiar with airboat sound and could be compelled to form an opinion based on your reporting. I hope that in future reports pertaining to airboat sound that we can count on you to give fair and balanced information without words or statements that can cause stigma to the airboat industry.
Thank you,
Terri Latner
Editor
Airboat World Magazine
St Petersburg Times
cshoichet@sptimes.com
From: Terri Latner
Airboat World Magazine
abw@airboatworld.com
Ms. Shoichet,
This letter is in reference to your article in the St. Petersburg Times on October 12, 2005. Webster’s dictionary defines noise as a loud, confused, or senseless shouting or outcry. I, as an airboat enthusiast and sportsman take offence to the use of this word by you when you are describing the sound projected by airboats. As a journalist you have an obligation to report facts and information to your readers without bias objection or opinion. To use a statement or word that projects such prejudice is unfair not only to the airboating community but to your readers that may not be familiar with airboat sound and could be compelled to form an opinion based on your reporting. I hope that in future reports pertaining to airboat sound that we can count on you to give fair and balanced information without words or statements that can cause stigma to the airboat industry.
Thank you,
Terri Latner
Editor
Airboat World Magazine