Lynn Deatherage's Letter to the WDN; Not Published as of July 18th, 2023 | Eastern NC Now

Publisher's Note: This "Letter to the Editor" to the Washington Daily News was written by Lynn Deatherage, my wife, early on May 22nd, 2023, and promptly sent by email to the proper address, as advertised, that same morning. That email was not returned as the address sent to must have been correct. So far, it has been 6 days, here in the age of quickened information, and Lynn's correspondence with the WDN editor, seeking just public redress, has not been published, and subsequent corrective action has not been taken.

    That being the case of such poor purpose by the Washington Daily News, Eastern North Carolina NOW will NOW publish this intended public correspondence as our Journalistic ideals command us to remain abjectly serious about: Freedom of Speech; the consequences of a Free Press; the intended honesty in all journalistic endeavors; and the guaranteed right of informing the People in a manner where only the truth is paramount.

    With this First Amendment to Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech, however, comes certain responsibilities; responsibilities that we hold dear at Eastern NC NOW as a major player in the "Public Square."

Lynn Deatherage's Letter to the WDN; Not Published as of May 28th, 2023

    In regard to your recent "Sound Off" section in the Washington Daily News, May 20th issue, an "anonymous caller," whose sole objective was to denigrate a duly elected county commissioner, I wondered what the purpose really was here.

    It takes zero effort, and no accountability for a so-called "anonymous" entity to make a false accusation, and far longer for honorable people to refute these lies. I am curious, how does this make you feel as the publisher?

    In no way does this adhere to the standards listed in your mission statement. Firstly, this isn't "news" and secondly, as mentioned, it is not true. Is not publishing the truth the most important factor in publishing the "news?"

    Please feel free, at some point, to do your due diligence as is your journalistic duty to discover the truth, and move forward with integrity. Does not your readership deserve that? In an atmosphere of growing divisions amongst people, how does your "Sound Off" section really help? If anyone should feel humiliated, it should be you for your publication. I welcome and expect your public apology as soon as possible.

    Sincerely,

       Lynn Deatherage, 252.944.3952