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City Councilmember Omar Roman declined to provide his physical location or disclose where he is attending law school.
Others in the city who have spoken up for ideas that have gone against the wishes of the Farmers Branch “establishment,” a highly conservative political faction of the city, have faced the weaponization of the city’s code enforcement through anonymous calls reporting alleged code violations. Others have had their property damaged.
I’ve heard stories of much worse but have not been able to verify them — an important part of journalism. However, there are too many anecdotes from too many people in too many time frames who have spoken up on too many issues for there not to be a nugget of truth in the claims of political retribution in this city.
I bring this up because three words have been repeated to me since the Branch Herald published the story about the incident at Farmers Branch City Hall last week. “Brave.” “Bold.” “Courageous.”
As the publisher of the Herald, I didn’t undertake that story lightly. After I heard about the incident, I gave time, thought and prayer before I sent my Open Records Request (here’s the link so you can request records as well).
After I received the results of my request, I pondered the emails at length before taking the time to verify the incident with multiple witnesses. I even went on vacation before I brought it up with my staff.
I strongly considered the purpose of the Herald and our values, as well as my own values of truth, kindness and justice before I moved forward.
You see, I firmly believe novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s words, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” from his 1839 play, “Cardinal Richelieu.”
Mayors, city councilmembers, county commissioners, police chiefs, legislators and judges hold a lot of power. But the writer with an audience that can sway public opinion has a lot of influence too. I don’t wield my pen or the influence of the Herald lightly. This news organization can help people, and it can hurt people. I, and my staff, continually weigh the value of the stories we write. We carefully weigh how stories affect the Farmers Branch community before we undertake an article.
Today, there are very few trusted sources of truth. I’m well aware that the national news media, as well as the government, the medical system, the educational system and many experts are considered suspect by the general public. I have many of the same hesitations to trust what information comes from those resources. However, local news organizations are still considered America’s most trusted media.
While the Branch Herald does not fulfill the requirements to be legally considered a newspaper under Texas state law, we follow the principles and ethical guidelines of the Society of Professional Journalists, which include being accurate and fair, to minimize harm, to act independently and to be accountable and transparent. We verify anecdotes, fact check and have been very hesitant to include anonymous sources in order to maintain that trust.
To provide transparency, I’ve started including notes at the end of a story when Herald reporters contact Farmers Branch City Hall or Mayor Terry Lynne and we do not receive a comment. I think this particular guideline is very important — “Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.” However, I cannot force them to respond.
I will admit that this guideline,“Recognize a special obligation to serve as watchdogs over public affairs and government. Seek to ensure that the public’s business is conducted in the open, and that public records are open to all,” is the most important purpose of the press.
However, it is also my least favorite. Freedom of the press is in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. I much prefer publishing feel-good stories, which I think we desperately need as a society, but it’s very important to hold our government and other institutions accountable. It is important for the Herald to be accountable as well, which is why I always run corrections as soon as I am able to after I learn of an error.
Local news matters. It is an important tool to build a strong community. We will continue this daunting task of providing fair journalism so you can make the best decisions for your family and your community.
