Do the headlines tell the truth?

To read or not to read? That is the question. Newspapers provide vital information to residents of all cities. They also need to make money in order to continue as a profitable business. I have no issue with that. In order to do that, though, people must read them. But what catches the attention of a potential reader? The headlines. They are large, bold, catchy and are many times thought-provoking.

I enjoy the Moorpark Acorn. It is "our" paper in Moorpark. The journalists are thoughtful and fair. Their articles are factual and usually accurate. But I take issue with the headlines at times. Specifically, the June 1, 2007, headline which read: "Council votes to end DARE program." That headline, in itself, caused a great deal of uproar and concern. The headline and the article did not mesh. Is DARE an important part of our children's education and growth? Yes. Did I support the DARE program from the beginning? Yes. Did the City Council vote to end the DARE program? No.

The article Sylvie Belmond wrote that day was accurate and clear. It was the headline that started the firestorm. I do not want to open up another three weeks of DARE debate. DARE has been graciously funded by the city. The high school will have a resource officer. The city and school district are already working on a future plan which will benefit our students. Collaboration has begun. However, headlines must be accurate and reasonable. This one was not. The residents of Moorpark do not need a dramatic headline that stretches the truth in order to get them to read this paper. They read it because they like it, they trust it, and they know it will give them an accurate and unbiased account of events occurring in Moorpark and surrounding areas.

The Moorpark Acorn is Moorpark's No. 1 place for news and information. Many businesses advertise in the Moorpark Acorn because they want to serve the community. Let's make sure the advertising, articles and headlines reflect what is really happening in our small town.
Mark Van Dam
Moorpark