Archive for July, 2009

Views on News • July 23rd, 2009

Book burning? Seriously?

by Chris Lato


Is this Wisconsin in 2009 or Germany in 1933? What a great way for the Badger State to be portrayed in the news!

OK, maybe that’s an overreaction. But calls for book burnings in West Bend are so backward, so anti- free speech, it’s both a little scary and comically over the top all at once.

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Leadership, Views on News, public relations • July 22nd, 2009

Degrees of misconduct

by Chris Lato


I had an interesting conversation recently about whether any law or state regulation that is on the books should still be enforced- particularly when those who create/enforce the laws are accused of breaking it.

The initial discussion was spurred by adultery – which is illegal in Wisconsin. Recently, a top law enforcer was caught in an affair with a reporter/commentator/professor who wrote a story about him. Both were married and admitted to the infidelity. (I’m not mentioning names here – I see no need to rehash. Read some of Dan Bice’s recent columns at JSOnline if you don’t know who I’m talking about.)

Now, beyond the obvious questions of journalistic ethics, should the law enforcer face punishment for breaking what most people likely consider to be an unnecessary law that hasn’t been enforced in decades?

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Leadership, Views on News, public relations • July 16th, 2009

In the news

by Chris Lato


So, Governor Doyle is now refusing to answer questions about missing travel receipts?

The state news media is generally obsessed with the notion of open records in state government, and not without reason. By that standard, shouldn’t the press refuse to take no for an answer and call for full disclosure…and not give up until they get it?

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