While I've enjoyed your reporting, I find this story and its headline falls below the high standards of journalism you espouse, which is disappointing. While there could be some "guilt by association" aspect to this story, as Micah and Jonathan certainly know each other, Jonathan has 772 Facebook friends as of the writing of this comment. Are they by extension all guilty by association as well? You don't like Micah, nor do you share the same political and spiritual perspectives. You're allowed as an individual. As a journalist, you've allowed your personal opinion of Micah to write and publish an intellectually dishonest article with an sensationalistic headline. You're better than this. Even Rob Kendall, who detests Micah has not taken this low road, this low hanging fruit, to bash Micah, and he bashes Micah for *everything* (much of which is valid, as I'm not apologist for Micah). I'm not asking for you to take this down, and would never be like that, but you should consider if this is the type of story you want to represent your journalistic integrity, or lack thereof...
As I believe I noted in previous coverage, the lieutenant governor's church has long stood as his political launch pad and where he has drawn all of his top advisers. And, a regular message from the Lt. Gov. and others in this branch of Pentecostal worship is that the church should very much be actively engaged in politics. He's an important figure in the public space, who may grow even more important next week with redistricting in the Senate and Nathan Peternel is one of his closest advisers.
I'm not sure what his spiritual or political feelings have to do with this, or why you think I feel a certain way. I have heard the many attacks from him and his team against me, which is not new, as a reporter I've been attacked plenty of times by plenty of politicians and political operatives. But I remain neutral on such matters.
Suffice to say I disagree with your characterization, but am happy you're reading and I hope you continue. And I'm happy to have this chance to lay out the news value and news judgment behind what is clearly a delicate topic. These things are not arrived at lightly.
And a big independent journalism nod to all the 24sight fam here. I'm grateful for your support.
I don’t see any accusations here. He’s pointing out two investigations being done. And there are people involved in the same circle, in both. Do you know Jonathan was sending these things to others? It would have to be people he’s comfortable with. Who are into the same things. And why did his dad expose him to people while he was being investigated? Why did he himself continue when he knew he was being investigated? It’s good to take note of who he is hanging out with and WHY. We pay tax dollars to ensure that our community is safe. And I appreciate the journalism. Go take a look at Micah’s reviews at his Life Church campus. And once you realize how close the two of them are and just how much overlap they have in their life… you’ll be shocked. I highly highly suggest you do some more critical thinking. I agree that we can’t jump to conclusions (I do not believe 24Sight has). But I do believe we should be asking questions.
I *was* engaging in critical thinking, as I was posing a question, not an "accusation," as to why a story about Jonathan Peternel and his terrible crimes was about Micah Beckwith. As I noted, there is a known and accepted association between Jonathan and Micah through Jonathan's father. No one is questioning that fact. The question of journalistic integrity comes into play when Micah becomes the subject and object of a news story about Jonathan Peternel's crime, and critically thinking and asking if it's right and proper that Micah become a focal point of a story that is not directly involving him. Is "guilt by association" enough to tarnish Micah's name, reputation, and role to make him the subject and object of a news story not involving him? (Again, this is the thinking critically part.) As I noted, Jonathan had 722 Facebook Friends at the time of my original comment, and so, by extension, are those 722 people also guilty by association as well? Where are the stories about them? I will concede, as it's intellectually honest to do so, that if an investigation were to uncover Micah's direct involvement in these crimes, that it should absolutely be frontpage national news, but until then, it's sensationalist journalism to just get clicks/views at Micah's expense by virtue of an association with Jonathan.
While I've enjoyed your reporting, I find this story and its headline falls below the high standards of journalism you espouse, which is disappointing. While there could be some "guilt by association" aspect to this story, as Micah and Jonathan certainly know each other, Jonathan has 772 Facebook friends as of the writing of this comment. Are they by extension all guilty by association as well? You don't like Micah, nor do you share the same political and spiritual perspectives. You're allowed as an individual. As a journalist, you've allowed your personal opinion of Micah to write and publish an intellectually dishonest article with an sensationalistic headline. You're better than this. Even Rob Kendall, who detests Micah has not taken this low road, this low hanging fruit, to bash Micah, and he bashes Micah for *everything* (much of which is valid, as I'm not apologist for Micah). I'm not asking for you to take this down, and would never be like that, but you should consider if this is the type of story you want to represent your journalistic integrity, or lack thereof...
Hi, Michael, thanks for your note.
As I believe I noted in previous coverage, the lieutenant governor's church has long stood as his political launch pad and where he has drawn all of his top advisers. And, a regular message from the Lt. Gov. and others in this branch of Pentecostal worship is that the church should very much be actively engaged in politics. He's an important figure in the public space, who may grow even more important next week with redistricting in the Senate and Nathan Peternel is one of his closest advisers.
I'm not sure what his spiritual or political feelings have to do with this, or why you think I feel a certain way. I have heard the many attacks from him and his team against me, which is not new, as a reporter I've been attacked plenty of times by plenty of politicians and political operatives. But I remain neutral on such matters.
Suffice to say I disagree with your characterization, but am happy you're reading and I hope you continue. And I'm happy to have this chance to lay out the news value and news judgment behind what is clearly a delicate topic. These things are not arrived at lightly.
And a big independent journalism nod to all the 24sight fam here. I'm grateful for your support.
Cheers,
Tom
I don’t see any accusations here. He’s pointing out two investigations being done. And there are people involved in the same circle, in both. Do you know Jonathan was sending these things to others? It would have to be people he’s comfortable with. Who are into the same things. And why did his dad expose him to people while he was being investigated? Why did he himself continue when he knew he was being investigated? It’s good to take note of who he is hanging out with and WHY. We pay tax dollars to ensure that our community is safe. And I appreciate the journalism. Go take a look at Micah’s reviews at his Life Church campus. And once you realize how close the two of them are and just how much overlap they have in their life… you’ll be shocked. I highly highly suggest you do some more critical thinking. I agree that we can’t jump to conclusions (I do not believe 24Sight has). But I do believe we should be asking questions.
I *was* engaging in critical thinking, as I was posing a question, not an "accusation," as to why a story about Jonathan Peternel and his terrible crimes was about Micah Beckwith. As I noted, there is a known and accepted association between Jonathan and Micah through Jonathan's father. No one is questioning that fact. The question of journalistic integrity comes into play when Micah becomes the subject and object of a news story about Jonathan Peternel's crime, and critically thinking and asking if it's right and proper that Micah become a focal point of a story that is not directly involving him. Is "guilt by association" enough to tarnish Micah's name, reputation, and role to make him the subject and object of a news story not involving him? (Again, this is the thinking critically part.) As I noted, Jonathan had 722 Facebook Friends at the time of my original comment, and so, by extension, are those 722 people also guilty by association as well? Where are the stories about them? I will concede, as it's intellectually honest to do so, that if an investigation were to uncover Micah's direct involvement in these crimes, that it should absolutely be frontpage national news, but until then, it's sensationalist journalism to just get clicks/views at Micah's expense by virtue of an association with Jonathan.