14 Fridai, March 25 1983
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
,
Free Press View on Jewish News Coverage
HUNDREDS OF PROJECT 1,000
FAMILIES WILL WORK IN JNF
FORESTS IN ISRAEL THIS SUMMER.
David Lawrence Jr.,
Executive Editor,
Detroit Free Press
Philip Slomovitz,
Editor and Publisher,
The Jewish News
Dear Phil:
A reader sent me a copy of
THERE'S STILL ROOM FOR YOUR FAMILY.
CALL
1-800-221-1251
The theme:
U.S. - ISRAEL RELATIONS:
MISUNDERSTANDING OR POLICY SHIFT?
Zionist Organization of America, Metro Detroit District
in cooperation with
Congregation Beth Achim and Greater Detroit Chapter of Hadassah
present a Public Forum and Media Event:
Thursday, March 31, 1983, 8:00 P.M.
Congregation Beth Achim
21100 West 12 Mile Road, Southfield
Keynote Speaker:
HON. BENJAMIN
ABILEAH
Consul-General of Israel, Washington, D.C.
Distinguished Israeli Diplomat and former
spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Media Panel: Alexander Cruden, National & Foreign Editor, Detroit Free Press
Shirlee Rose !den, Suburban Life Editor, The Southfield Eccentric
Ken Rabac, WW1 News Reporter
Moderator: Leonard Herman, First Vice President, Metro Detroit ZOA
The public is invited
Free Admission
Irving Laker, President
Metro Detroit District
Zionist Organization of America
Annette Meskin, President
Greater Detroit Chapter of
Hadassah
George J. Rossman, President
Congregation Beth Acihim
your front-page editorial
and news story suggesting
that the Free Press partici-
pated in a "hatchet job."
That is simply not true.
In fact, that editorial and
news story add up to exactly
what the Free Press is un-
fairly accused of — unfair-
ness. Take, for example, the
headline on the lead story.
The headline says that Max
Fisher "demolished" the al-
legations that ran in the
Free Press; yet the story
notes that Mr. Fisher "dis-
puted" the allegations. You
and I both know there's a
heckuva difference between
the two words.
At the Free Press, we
work hard to make sure the
news content (where re-
porters' and editors' opin-
ions should not be con-
tained) is very separate
from the editorial page
(where opinions are ex-
pressed). That standard was
not followed on your front
page last week.
Yes, I do note that the
editorial calls the Free
Press "a newspaper of great
merit." But the body and
tone of the editorial suggest,
in fact, something different.
Let me say several things:
• Personally, I am abso-
lutely committed to Israel's
right to a secure and peace-
ful existence. And I fully
realize that others would
deny Israel even existence.
• Yes, Jim McCartney's
story did note legitimate
questions raised about
where American tax dollars
are going; But that does not
constitute an attack on Is-
rael. Being a believer in Is-
rael — and, most of all, in
truth —I feel very confident
that Israel is best served by
truth.
• Yes, being human, we
do make mistakes. When we
do, we work that much har-
der toward perfection. And
one of the special things
about the Free Press, it
MR. and MRS. MARVIN TAMAROFF
HEARTILY EXTEND TO THEIR FRIENDS and CUSTOMERS
seems to me, is our willing- never be served by hate, and
ness to acknowledge when I believe your front page re-
we are wrong.
flects distortion to the point
• I hear more on the sub- of hatred. I find that
ject of the Middle East than frightening.
any other subject. It's not an
Dave Lawrence
unusual day to hear from a
P.S.: In the spirit of fair-
caller suggesting that we ness, I hope this letter will
are "pro-Israel" and then run in a prominent spot in
get a call later that same the earliest possible issue.
day suggesting we are Thank you.
* * *
"pro-Arab." Sometimes,
even, the callers have re-
An Opposing
ferred to the same story.
To start using words like
Viewpoint
"notorious" in referring to a
Dear
Phil:
gifted reporter like Jim
This
is to commend you on
McCartney is, in fact, re-
miniscent of the lowest form your excellent front page
of attacks on Jews and Is- article in The Jewish News
rael. If I thought Jim last Friday, March 18, con-
McCartney or anyone else cerning the false allega-
were "anti-Israel" or anti- tions and distortions of the
anything else, I would not Free Press article of the pre-
permit his words to run in ceding Sunday. We applaud
the Free Press. In fact, I your forthrightness and
know Mr. McCartney well leadership in addressing
enough to know he cares these distortions so
just as much about telling promptly.
Wayne L. Feinstein,
the truth as anyone I know.
Executive Director
Israel's interests will
Jewish Welfare Federation
* * *
The Free Press and We
David Lawrence earns his spurs as the responsible
spokesman for the Detroit Free Press. In his letter appear-
ing above he continues a policy of providing replies to
criticisms of his newspaper's treatment of the Middle East
issues as they affect Israel. The acknowledged Jewish con-
cern in these issues has made such a "confrontation" a
dispute between the Free Press and the Jewish community
which includes an impressive portion of its readership.
Editor Lawrence merits recognition for his readiness
to meet with representatives of the Jewish community and
to review with them the issues that create disputes.
This does not absolve James McCartney of blame for
having aroused resentment over his sensationalized
treatment of matters relating to Israel's position in the
international community, with emphasis on the Amercan
role in such a relationship.
It is cause for deep regret, especially to this confrere in
the journalistic craft, that Mr. McCartney should have
made it a policy invaribly to stress the negatives in his
dispatches from Washington to the newspapers associated
with the Knight-Ridder chain and other newspapers sub-
scribing to their service. Such a consistent journalistic pro-
cedure created the resentment aroused by the hurtful irri-
tations stemming from a responsible correspondent from
the nation's capital to what The Jewish News editorial
described as a responsible American newspaper.
It is reasonable to assume that a good measure of the
assessed shortcomings in the Jewish judgments is ascriba-
ble to the added irritations created by the copyreading
policies of the Free Press. Whoever said, "Let me write the
headlines and I don't care who makes the news," must have
meant the creators of the irritations in Free Press headline
sensationalism. All-too-often they emphasize an evil spirit.
All-too-often they write an accusatory message indicting
Israel and especially her current leaders for undescribable
"crimes." Often, the story itself is less damaging to the
Israeli position- than the headlines themselves.
This is not an indictment. It is a pursuance of the policy
of opinion-exchanging in with Free Press Editor David
Lawrence plays a role credited with sincerity. His attitude
and viewpoint, sincerely accredited, have this appreciative
acknowledgement.
—P.S.
Remembering the Holocaust
a3Jover creetin
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Senator Rudy Boschwitz (R-Minn.) tells
President Reagan, left, of his family's experiences in
Germany before the Holocaust. His father decided to
move from Germany in 1933 on the day Hitler came to
power. Boschwitz was a leader in the Congressional
proclamation for a national Week of Remembrance
next month.