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It's been difficult to get a laugh out of most of us at the Chronicle office
this week after covering such a sad story over the weekend. The tragedy in
Montfort has been the first homicide I've had to write about, and it has surprisingly
awakened many thoughts in this young journalist's mind, many
including the role the media plays in such a horrifying incident.
I thought nothing could make me laugh this week but I was mistaken.
Someone on Facebook had shared an editorial written by staff members at
The Frederick News-Post, a newspaper located in Maryland, that actually
made me laugh out loud.
The editorial began by explaining the article's backstory, that recently
Councilman Kirby Delauter had threatened Bethany Rodgers, the newpaper's
reporter, with a lawsuit for using his name in an article about government
happenings (in this particular case, a parking issue) without his permission
or authorization.
The editorial continued humorously. "Kirby Delauter, an elected official;
Kirby Delauter, a public figure? Surely, Kirby Delauter can't be serious?
Kirby Delauter's making a joke, right?"
As someone who covers local government, this seemed absurd to me.
Imagine if I couldn't name anyone on the Dodgeville Common Council or
refer to the Dodgeville School District superintendent by name when writing
about important issues in our community?
I draw from comments made by their county executive Jan Gardner:
"All public officials are really subject to the news and should expect to
be written about. Most of us would love to be written about positively all
the time, but that's never the case."
"Freedom of the press is part of the democratic process, ensuring the public
knows what their elected officls are doing."
Delauter has since apologized, stating "Of course, as I am an elected official,
The Frederick News-Post has the right to use my name in any article
related to the running of the county - that comes with the job."
But it wasn't until everyone on the Internet began talking about Kirby
Delauter, using his name in hashtags, sharing the comical editorial and
posting screenshots of his comments made publicly on Facebook, that I got
the biggest laugh of all.
One of pure irony.
So for that, I thank you, Kirby Delauter.