LETTER: Former journalist knows of 'barbarians'

Dear Editor:

Thank you for Rod Thomson’s insightful “Needed: Barbarian with a Pen” column. As a former television and radio journalist, I have experienced firsthand “that kind of sicko.” The questionable hygiene was mostly in the mental department. They just aren’t like the rest of us.

I remember working for the investigative reporter of a Tampa Bay TV station. His instructions regarding the restaurant inspectors were to “follow them until they do something wrong.” That’s right, so much for the presumed innocent thing. It was always presumed — and then advanced by the promotions department — that we’d found dirt. Someone’s wrong, and we’re on top of it. Unfortunately, Mr. Hot Shot Reporter went on to ABC/Good Morning America. I went to Bay News 9. Not that there’s anything wrong with Bay News 9. I appreciate their more human and humane approach.

I remember hearing Cal Thomas lament that it’s unfortunate more Christians don’t go into journalism. Not that he’s saying Christians will “save” journalism but that he sees the dark field that needs truth. My, what better place for proponents of truth than the field of journalism. What do we/they have to fear?

Stand firm and speak up.

Sondra Guffey
Lakewood Ranch