Hello?! Front Page?

In the next post, I put some questions to this Commercial Appeal editorial. Within that editorial is a section that deserves its own comment post, it's so spectacular.

The editorial writer waits until the very bottom of the piece and only then says:

Another disappointing aspect of the latest revelations about Hyneman is that the elected officials involved seem to be beyond shame.

Hooks, who was indicted in August on bribery and extortion charges, told a reporter that press coverage will only help him in his upcoming trial.

"The more y'all write, the better it gets, baby," he taunted a reporter trying to interview him about the loan he received from Hyneman business partner Henry Weaver. "And I'm going to need public opinion. ... Y'all ain't learned that yet."

Forget integrity for just a second. Don't these elected officials have any pride? Why would they even be willing to let someone think that they could be bought off with free air travel or other perks?

This wasn't a part of the original story, and it only appears at the bottom of this editorial. Talk about burying your lede! Why isn't this arrogance front page news?

The paper already labors under the popular perception that they are harsh on some politicians while being indulgent with others. They are also working with the old conundrum that "any press is good press."

So.... Take a stand. Plant your flag. The Commercial Appeal has already taken community positions in regards to children being left in day care vans (Remember Amber's Army?) and weight / health (Healthy Memphis).

Take a stand against public corruption. Announce that you are now a sworn foe and will root out and expose the malefactors. It's a non-partisan issue, but only if you are even-handed and comprehensive in its application.

On your website, every time you mention a public figure, use a hyperlink to an index page of Commercial Appeal stories about this person. Use a sidebar to list any corruption investigations, convictions or stories.

Reward readers who send in tips. Dedicate part of your Hurricane Katrina crew back to Memphis to become Clean Sweep Memphis, devoting the bulk of their time to tracking down leads and stories about public corruption, or the appearance of it.

Corrupt public officials are almost impossible to root out for the average citizen. They have their hands on all the levers of power -- tax, inspection, license, police, etc. Few citizens have the time, energy and endurance to stand up to that. But a newspaper is an organisation, greater than the sum of any individual parts. It has the power, the influence; it can endure.

Crusading papers have a long history in this country. If the CA wants to find its place in the New Future of Journalism, I'd recommend starting here. Properly done, it will earn them the respect of the community that previous editors and publishers have long-ago squandered. That means readers and that means advertisers.

But the present namby-pamby, pick and choose, soft prod won't cut it. Take sides. Step up. Roll up your sleeves and put your hands on the fingers that are choking the life from the citizens of Memphis. Pry off those fingers and earn out gratitude.