By Miles Layton
Wow…
Will you look at that…
Accompanying the News and Observer’s story about a recent arrest involving Tommie Basnight is a photo of the Confederate Memorial – WTF!
To the N&O – that statue was removed a long time ago — coming up on a year since it was taken down at midnight on Labor Day weekend.
The N&O knew what it was doing when posting this photo, how the story would be received — we know where you stand when it comes to coverage of the people of rural North Carolina.
Let it be known — not that this is a huge shock to most people living east of I-95 — but the N&O has sucked for many years.
Since Chowan County and Northeast NC are in the media again, I feel compelled to set the record straight.
Aside from the arrest, the most important thing to note in this story is how the matter is being handled: Sheriff Edward “Scooter” Basnight has recused himself from any involvement in the investigation, and to ensure transparency, the District Attorney’s Office has been contacted. That’s huge!
Another thing — Sheriff’s Office deserves credit for posting news of Tommie Basnight’s arrest — that shows transparency — that social media post is where the story came from.
I’ve worked in a lot of small towns in rural areas — not a lot of these law enforcement agencies would’ve been as forthcoming, thinking that hiding the arrest, if one was made, would bury the issue, when in reality, hiding any matter in a small town always makes it worse.
Transparency is critical to law enforcement, certainly local government.
Last note: while the Albemarle Observer posted a its story about yesterday’s arrest – same as other media outlets – I loathed doing that because I know Sheriff Basnight is a good man who has served Chowan County with distinction for nearly 25 years; multiple arrests, keeping Chowan County safe, serving on the dive team, being a role model as a Scoutmaster, a man of faith and integrity.
N&O – kiss my ass!
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