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 FOR THE UTMOST OF HEALTH and HAPPINESS Lt IJ Buick Honda R^ ; LS [FR 28585 Telegraph Rd. across from Tel-Twelve Mall Southfield, Mich. Phone 353-1300 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.