Sunday, April 26, 1998

Ferguson exercising fundamental right

By JOEL SHULER / Guest Columnist

I'm troubled by the apparent slant of coverage in the Wylie School Board race. Anthony Wilson wrote a story, "Teen's entry into Wylie school board election costing taxpayers," that implied school board candidate Brian Ferguson was "stealing from schoolchildren" to the tune of $1,500 because he filed for a seat on the school board. The source of the charge isn't expressly mentioned, but the story structure suggests the charge may have been made by Wylie Superintendent Cecil Davis.

Giving such a charge credence by publishing the story strikes me as irresponsible. Are Abilene Reporter-News editors taking the position that all who file for local, state or national public office waste taxpayer dollars?

The negative slant continued in a story on April 20 by Candy Reagan that states: "Although he has drawn fire for forcing an expensive election to further his own ideas..." The anonymous "stealing from schoolchildren" and "forced election" charges made about Ferguson that were highlighted in Wilson's story became a negative label in Reagan's story. Good journalism demands such charges and labels have specific attribution; otherwise, they become statements of fact.

Wilson, Reagan and Davis know Ferguson did not "force" an election. They know the election was planned and that the Wylie School District budget includes a line item to pay for it.

Just like any other local, state or national candidate, Ferguson exercised a fundamental American right -- the right to file for public office. That right does not require candidates to stick to certain issues, nor does it require them to believe they'll win. Elections are full of candidates who use the public platform to further some social or political issue. Legalizing marijuana, stopping abortions, changing the income tax system, abolishing a political office are all issues championed by candidates who never ran to win. "Furthering one's own ideas" has a rich tradition in the American political system. (Does anyone file for political office not to further their own ideas? Should the political process discourage individual ideas?)

I don't know Ferguson and have no opinion about his social or political beliefs. I do believe the Reporter-News has a responsibility to treat him as a serious candidate, fairly report his views and leave the rest to voters.

Joel Shuler, formerly of Abilene, now lives in Austin.