Home / Archive / VOL. VII NO. 06 03/15/2026 / SU FYI

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VOL. VII NO. 06 03/15/2026

SU FYI

Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) needs our help. President Jenny Hansell says: “How you can help: Join BNRC in asking the Joint Committee on Ways and Means to maintain – and strengthen – Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) funding. Email Representative Sabadosa asking to reject cuts to DCR. In their next session March 10, 2026. Call your local representative and say “I am a constituent, and I care about our state parks.” Attend the Public Hearing via Zoom on March 11. You can sign up to speak or simply attend to signal your support. Learn more at Mass Parks for All blog for a detailed breakdown of the budget’s impact.
Locally visit www.preservationinc.org and learn about our newest local effort to support land conservation and see Perspectives below.
Hansell ends, “Let’s make sure the Commonwealth continues its proud history of taking care of our lands by speaking up for our state parks today.”
Last summer, there were seven cases of Legionnaire’s disease at Berkshire Medical Center. Two of the seven died.
Journalism Corner : Dedicated to Original Reporting
Our earliest newspapers took great pride in taking a position; more than being objective. Early Berkshire County newspapers such as The Western Star, Stockbridge, 1789 to 1806, was Federalist; The American Centinel, Pittsfield, 1787 -, was avidly pro ratification of the Constitution. Being opinionated was considered a responsible part of reportage. You could buy a paper and read it. You could go to the tavern, pick the latest edition off a central table, read it, and return it to the table for others. Or, you could go to a public place, the same tavern or Town Square, and listen as it was read aloud. It was also true that newspapers announced their leanings. Often, right in the banner were the words like Republican, Federalist, and Independent. Those words heralded their position; readers were forewarned.

The first Code of Ethics for journalism was written by the American Society of Newspaper Editors (ASNE) founded in 1922 to “promote excellence.” Excellence was defined by “fair, principled journalism [that] defends and protects First Amendment rights, and fights for freedom of information.“

In 1926, The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) wrote its Code of Ethics based on ASNE. The code is a statement of principles more than a set of rules. It is a guide so that journalists take responsibility for the information they provide. Simply put the goal is to: seek truth and report it.

Neither code eliminated opinion or analysis; both were still valued. The difference was that it was deemed fairer to the reader and more ethical professionally to divide and identify them. Objective, fact-based reporting was placed in a different section of the same paper from opinion and clearly identified usually with the word “opinion” or “editorial.” Still later it was determined more fair to express differing opinions in that section.

The codes have been revisited multiple times as the context in which newspapers are written has changed. It can be more difficult or dangerous to report accurately and to express opinions or analyze events depending on context. Reporter can morph from hero to villain; face personal threats and legal consequences. In some circumstances, it is easier to compromise, but the responsibility does not change — seek truth and report it.

Underlying all good news reporting is dedication to original reporting. If the newspaper presents a collection of submitted material from other sources, the reader cannot expect to receive well-rounded and full information as they have allegiance to their own party or mission. The newspaper and its allegiance must be to fully inform the public through original reporting.

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Stockbridge Updates Statement of Purpose

To inform without opinion or pressure and give the people of Stockbridge the facts they need to make informed decisions.

To provide space for opinion, but since facts and opinions are different, to clearly mark opinion pieces, and clearly identify the opinion holder.

Stockbridge Updates is a periodic newsletter delivered through email.

Carole Owens, Executive Editor

Stockbridge Updates Policy with Respect to Submissions

SU welcomes your letters and other submissions on all Stockbridge subjects, history and current events, news and human interest, whatever is on your mind. As with articles and opinion pieces, letters are 400 words or less, no personal attacks, and always attach your name. SU does not include personal information and will delete telephone numbers, email addresses, post office boxes, and street addresses. Limit one submission per month.

Carole Owens, Executive Editor

Stockbridge Updates: Format

SU is attempting to present a consistent format for readers. SU begins with its Table of Contents. The SU Editorial is next and then the News. News is divided between one-time events, such as the election and events around town, and recurring reporting, such as the Notes from… section. It is called Notes from… because SU attends the town meetings, takes notes, and reports what happened. If SU has a comment or question, it is at the end of the meeting identified as Editor’s Comment or Editor’s Question. The next section is Contributors. Under contributors, you may find Stockbridge history, opinion pieces, or information from a Committee Chair or elected official. Our final section is Reader to Reader, our letter section. The issue closes with the SU Statement of Purpose and Policy for Contributors. We welcome all letter writers and contributors; deadline on the 10th for the issue posted on the 15th of the month and on the 26th for the issue posted on the first.

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