Bias in news articles is expressed both with factually incorrect information and by leaving out pertinent facts. The Maui News' Dec. 6 coverage of Wailuku Main Street Association's day in court had both.
Included incorrect information was a statement by Deputy Attorney General Hugh Jones that "nobody knows where the money is." WMSA's board is well aware of where our money is - in the bank, with every penny accounted for.
Facts the article left out were:
* WMSA's side of the story can be seen by picking "Program Updates" or "Most Recent Updates" on our website.
* Jones seemed to be in possession of inappropriately obtained documents at WMSA's prior deposition (which led to our request that the newly subpoenaed information be under seal).
* WMSA's finances are audited yearly.
* WMSA and its former executive director have done nothing wrong and that repeated false and misleading information is what is harming us. Our executive director left us on good terms.
Please find WMSA's point-by-point response to Jones' Aug. 30 investigation report and other facts by picking the links noted above at www.mauitowns.com.
It is The Maui News that seems to filter the facts through rose-colored glasses as you will see by visiting our website. WMSA has a record of clean yearly independent audits, and our website is a magnifying glass to get to the truth.
Tom Cannon
Board chairman, WMSA
Haiku
