Open Letter to Armando Acuna

Armando Acuna, the Public Editor of the Sacramento Bee, wrote an article in Sunday's newspaper (registration required) informing readers why the Bee doesn't do more articles on the decline in violence in Iraq. His reason: Iraq's violence might increase later. I have blogged about Acuna's article here and here.

He invited Sacramento Bee readers to respond: "I would like to hear your thoughts about this via an online chat. To participate, please go to www.sacbee.com/public, and I will post your questions and observations starting Monday morning."

Here is my letter to Armando Acuna:

Dear Armando Acuna:
The mainstream media's days as gatekeeper of information are over.

Thanks to the internet and alternative news sources, the media no longer has the ability to withhold information, then dole it out bit by bit when you decide. It's time you learned to trust your readers instead of insulting them.

Give your readers the news, the statistics, the developments in Iraq.  Then, your readers can assess whether the US is making progress in Iraq, and make judgements about whether the surge is working.
If for some reason there is another increase in violence, your readers can be trusted to understand why.

Bottom time: it's time the Sacramento Bee treated its readers like adults. Open the information gate!

Sincerely,

Kevin Gregory