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Lessons learned in database incident (VA - Roanoke Times appologizes)
Roanoke Times ^ | Sunday, March 25, 2007 | Editor

Posted on 03/26/2007 5:49:04 PM PDT by BorisTheBulletDodger

Lessons learned in database incident More discussion and thought should have gone into the decision to publish a database of concealed carry holders in the state.

We heard from literally thousands of people after our decision two weeks ago to post an online database of people in the state permitted to carry concealed handguns. Many people presented rational objections.

Many others responded with personal threats of violence and acts of intimidation -- responses we declined to publish.

The difficulty we've faced since is how to respond to the rational objections without validating the abusive tactics and attacks waged against this newspaper and the columnist who wrote a piece linked to the database.

Amid the firestorm of criticism, we've re-examined our decision-making process and reflected on the valid criticisms.

We've come to some conclusions.

First, we had a legal right to post the database. These were public records, legally obtained.

In some journalistic circles, that would be enough. The Washington Post's Marc Fisher praised the decision to post the information and accused The Roanoke Times of caving in to criticism when we decided to pull the database.

But upon reflection, we wish we had more fully discussed the potential ramifications before we made this decision. Dozens of concealed permit holders expressed heartfelt fear because of the exposure of what they believed was private information.

We gave insufficient thought and discussion to the potential that crime victims, law enforcement officers and domestic violence victims might be put at risk if their addresses were published.

Though many of our critics believe that the database handed burglars a shopping list of households with guns and abusers a list of their victims, no one can point to a single incident where similar publications led to a crime.

But we didn't know that until after the database was published. The potential for harm is something we should have given far greater thought to in making the decision.

For our failure to do so, The Roanoke Times apologizes.

We also regret that there was not a more compelling public purpose -- beyond illustrating how the Freedom of Information Act works -- behind the decision to post the database.

There are vital reasons these records should remain open.

But those reasons were not well illuminated -- or even particularly well served -- by the publication of the entire database.

The public should be able to monitor how well various jurisdictions screen concealed carry applicants.

So, yes, we made mistakes. The process for vetting this decision was not as thorough as it should have been.

Those mistakes, though, in no way justify the outrageous and threatening nature of much of the response. Very early on, a rational discussion of this issue became all but impossible.

It was extremely important that we not allow the unacceptable antics of the fringe to distract us from a careful examination of our own decision-making.

We want to assure our readers that, where we erred, we will strive not to repeat our mistakes. And we will continue to advocate passionately for the free flow of information that is the lifeblood of an open society.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: banglist; drivebymedia; ethics; journalism; msm; roanoketimes
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I guess thats an appology...
1 posted on 03/26/2007 5:49:05 PM PDT by BorisTheBulletDodger
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger
Arrgh... "apologizes"
sorry.
-btbd
2 posted on 03/26/2007 5:52:45 PM PDT by BorisTheBulletDodger (Si vis pacem, para bellum)
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger

That's not a apology.


3 posted on 03/26/2007 5:53:49 PM PDT by LdSentinal
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger

Second Amendment, Meet First Amendment.



First Amendment, Meet Second Amendment.


4 posted on 03/26/2007 5:54:31 PM PDT by trumandogz
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger

Q: "The difficulty we've faced since is how to respond to the rational objections without validating the abusive tactics and attacks waged against this newspaper and the columnist who wrote a piece linked to the database."

A: Resign.


5 posted on 03/26/2007 5:56:14 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger
.....the outrageous and threatening nature of much of the response...... the unacceptable antics of the fringe......

Mr. Editor, those threats may not have been the fringe speaking, but the outrage of the mainstream gun-owners who feel threatened by your irresponsiblity.

6 posted on 03/26/2007 5:56:57 PM PDT by jimtorr
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger

I suggest we start a well publicized project to post the names, home addresses and phone numbers along with photos of all employees of every old media news organization, starting with this one.

If anyone whose name was published as part of this concealed carry database is harmed in anyway everyone who works for this paper, starting with the owner and publisher, should be charged with the crime.


7 posted on 03/26/2007 5:57:44 PM PDT by Phsstpok (Often wrong, but never in doubt)
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To: LdSentinal
First, we had a legal right to post the database.

They have a legal right to be jerks, but that doesn't mean they have to be jerks. They wanted to be jerks.

8 posted on 03/26/2007 5:58:57 PM PDT by glorgau
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger
It is a lame apology. Of course they should have known BEFORE they published the list that legal guns could be stolen from legal owners and used by criminals. That's been happening for two years in Canada, where they have a public list of gun owners.

It's called research, you nitwits.

Congressman Billybob

Latest article: "Charlie and Rosie are Scum"

9 posted on 03/26/2007 5:59:57 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob (Please get involved: www.ArmorforCongress.com)
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger

I say we have a right to publish the addresses of the editors and we should do it and issue a weakneed sort of after the fact apology later.


10 posted on 03/26/2007 6:00:25 PM PDT by samadams2000 (Someone important make......The Call!)
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To: samadams2000
I say we have a right to publish the addresses of the editors and we should do it and issue a weakneed sort of after the fact apology later.

After all, property tax rolls are public information, esay to obtain legally.

11 posted on 03/26/2007 6:04:35 PM PDT by Spirochete
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger

That is the sh*ttiest "apology" I've ever seen.


12 posted on 03/26/2007 6:15:00 PM PDT by NewJerseyJoe (Rat mantra: "Facts are meaningless! You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true!")
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger
Clearly this is an example of how well jurisdictions monitor free speach rights. Why is there no waiting period either before publishing?
13 posted on 03/26/2007 6:17:51 PM PDT by School of Rational Thought (27 B stroke 6 required)
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To: Phsstpok
I think someone should.

After all, reporters are "public figures" are they not?
And is not their personal contact information publically available?
If someone just happens to datamine government records information not normally widely available, but related to the specific individuals of interest, well, its just doing an investigative service for the general public that the journalists themselves have refused to do, isn't it?
And if any reporter actually gets physically harmed in the process, how on earth could they prove that the mere consolidated publication of datamined open records information was the source of harm?
Or that the person who datamined the information intended harm?
14 posted on 03/26/2007 6:31:18 PM PDT by sarasmom (Thank you to all who joined the Gathering of Eagles !)
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger
The liberal form of apology is smart aleck condescension accompanied by an arrogant proclamation to the effect, "we are right but went about it the wrong way." It sounds sincere, alright.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

15 posted on 03/26/2007 6:33:59 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: glorgau
They do have a legal right. But they never got around to examing the other side of the coin, the ethical consequences of publishing it. Its funny how ethics go out of the window when the Drive Bys/MSM see fair political game to hunt or enemies against which to seek political retribution.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

16 posted on 03/26/2007 6:38:06 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: sarasmom
After all, reporters are "public figures" are they not? And is not their personal contact information publically available?

Public records hold all sorts of fascinating information...

Arrests for DUI.
Bankruptcies.

Charges of domestic abuse.
Arrests or citation for possession or use of illegal drugs.
In arrears for child support.

The creative abuse, under the rules set out by this loser editor, is limitless...

17 posted on 03/26/2007 6:40:03 PM PDT by Publius6961 (MSM: Israelis are killed by rockets; Lebanese are killed by Israelis.)
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To: Publius6961
Exactly. If its good enough for the peasants, its good enough for the lords.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

18 posted on 03/26/2007 6:42:22 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: glorgau

In case you didn't read the initial article they published, annoucing the database, it was pretty obvious that the writer was an obnoxious Lefty twit. And that's putting it nicely.


19 posted on 03/26/2007 6:45:12 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: BorisTheBulletDodger

Talk about a back-handed "apology." The idiots that run this paper still don't get it, despite their lip service. Coming from that part of Virginia, I can safely say that once the editor(s) are on the local folks' "crap" list, they will stay there for the foreseeable future.


20 posted on 03/26/2007 6:52:59 PM PDT by Virginia Ridgerunner ("Si vis pacem para bellum")
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