A.G. Gancarski
On Thursday, an incident happened in Jacksonville’s Westside that shocked the collective conscience of the city. Two girls, riding home from school, shot in their heads.
It was in broad daylight on their school bus, and they were shot by two teenage assailants who got onto the bus and wreaked their havoc.
Mayor Alvin Brown was quick to issue a statement: “As a father, today’s violence directed at our children horrifies me. We cannot tolerate this kind of cowardice. This tragedy should strengthen our community’s commitment to prevent violence and enforce the law. As mayor, I will continue to take whatever steps are necessary to carry out that mission.”
Nikolai Vitti, school district superintendent, visited the site and was quoted as saying he was “sickened and horrified” by the indiscriminate violence and that it’s time to “do something.”
The Florida Times-Union, meanwhile, had a front page article above the fold on Friday morning addressing the latest eruption of violence. A strong piece with a strong headline: “Shock, anger after shooting.”
You know what else is inspiring shock and anger today? The T-U‘s ineffable decision to cover the masthead with an ad for a gun show this weekend.
Look, I get it. The newspaper business is in decline. The print paper loses circulation with each passing generation. You don’t want to screw up the revenue stream.
But how tone deaf can you be?
Think of the families and friends of those girls who will see that cruel and unfortunate juxtaposition.
Think of people who never met those girls, but who can’t help but imagine how, but for the grace of God, such a thing could happen to their children, their grandchildren.
How does the T-U justify this position?
They owe the people of Jacksonville an apology.
Above the fold, on Page 1, and without a promotional sticker for a gun show.
UPDATED 2:15 p.m. A response from the T-U, describing this as an “incredibly regrettable coincidence.”
“The appearance of a gun-related front-page sticky note on the same day was an incredibly regrettable coincidence. It was born of the purposeful separation between our news and advertising departments, an approach we take because we value nothing more than the objectivity of our journalism. That said, this clearly was an oversight. We’re aggressively reviewing our procedures and will implement steps to prevent such a situation in the future.”
