The format of a My Take is 150 words – no more, no less – to express an opinion on a different topic each week. This week’s topic was accountability.
I’m always astounded when I ask to interview people who have expressed an opinion on social media and they respond, oh no, I don’t want to go on the record.
The funny thing is, you are no less accountable for your statements on social media than you are in my newspaper.
The difference is, I built a career on choosing my words carefully and I have a legal obligation to accurately report what I see and hear without taking a side. So, we sink or swim together.
And just between you and me, if you go off half-cocked during an interview, I can separate passion from frustration and hurt from misguided anger to get your point across.
But what I can’t do is turn a blind eye to witless online mudslinging, or just throw it in the free speech pile.
Please, think before you write.
