VIDEO - EXCLUSIVE: Audio Recording Brings Courier Reporter's Integrity Into Question - MC Gazette

During the 2016 election cycle, a new phrase came about which has continued to sweep the nation ever since, “fake news.” However, the Montgomery County Gazette has received an audio recording that proves "fake news" exists and shows a total lack of journalistic integrity within mainstream media. The Montgomery County Gazette has been able to confirm the authenticity of the recording.

In recent times, journalists have come under fire for false reporting, slander, and allegations of sexual harassment, and networks are struggling to recover and reinstate their once taken-for-granted journalistic integrity. They say in today’s world, just about anyone can be a journalist, but in actuality, it takes a certain caliber of individual to be a truly good reporter.

In Montgomery County, the citizens are no stranger to the likes of “fake news.” From a sensationalist blogspot that regularly and ruthlessly attacks the personal integrity of our elected officials, employees, and even private citizens, to a mainstream Houston Chronicle affiliate which seems to consistently flip flop their views based on what will sell more copy, the claim of “fake news” can be given to both of them.

However, the content of the writing depends on the quality of the writers themselves, and as for at least one writer of The Courier, that integrity is especially lacking.

The Recording

John Marshall, a writer with The Courier, contacted Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal regarding his opinions on a competitor in the race for County Judge, and Marshall left a voicemail. While at first it seems like a routine phone call, things get interesting once Marshall believes he has hung up the phone.

The conversation Marshall proceeds to have with himself and a female employee is disturbing to say the least, and shows a very gross lack of integrity.

Upon listening to the recording, serious questions are raised as to just how much one can trust a publication which:

  1. Allows inappropriate workplace behavior in their journalists, and
  2. Shows the amount of bias toward an elected official as shown in the voicemail.

You can listen to the audio of that voicemail below, but it does contain some strong language.

 

The Montgomery County Gazette reached out to Judge Doyal for comment, in which he was able to confirm he did receive the voicemail, and he was 100% confident it was John Marshall, as after receiving the message, he called back to the number provided and spoke with Marshall directly.

According to Doyal, he received this voicemail about a month ago.

Doyal feels there has been a lot of bias in reporting, stating, “I and many others have thought for a long time that information has been handled unfairly, and the tape speaks for itself.”

As stated earlier, the purpose of a reporter is to ensure the proper facts are given to the public for their knowledge, and stories are published in a manner that provides unbiased information to the reader. When a reporter takes the attitude as Marshall did, indicating he would rather not speak to Doyal and print "unavailable for comment," it unfairly portrays the circumstances and the situation.

As a journalist, I personally have had times where I had a very strong opinion on a particular issue or candidate, but as a journalist, it is my duty to put aside any reservations in favor of giving equal opportunity to the parties involved.

The purpose of a journalist is to present the facts of a situation in a format easily understood by the general public; this way, people can take the facts and make decisions based upon their own beliefs and thought processes.

http://emcgazette.com/exclusive-audio-recording-brings-courier-reporters-integrity-into-questio-p1765-214.htm