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Woodbury editorial ruled as inaccurate
The News Council said the Woodbury Bulletin was wrong in its portrayal of an Afton City Council member.
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The news council voted 15 to 0 to uphold a complaint by Joe Richter that the Bulletin wrongly said he "went into something of a tirade" and mistreated another council member at a Sept. 18 public meeting.
The News Council denied a second complaint that the newspaper had a responsibility to check the accuracy of a similar letter to the editor. That vote was 9 to 4, with two abstentions.
The Bulletin's editorial, "Councilman's Antics Were Unnecessary," alleged that Richter was "waving his nameplate" in front of Nick Mucciacciaro's face and "took 20 minutes to argue his point" after a request that resident comments from a supplemental information packet be read aloud.
News Council members viewed video footage from the meeting and unanimously agreed that the editorial did not accurately portray Richter's conduct. They said they expected to see theatrics but found only a few moments of lively give and take between Richter and Mucciacciaro.
Richter said he was pleased with the News Council decision and feels no ill will toward the Bulletin.
"It's hard to find a voice for yourself," he said after the ruling. "The media has a large voice. My voice is very small."
Bob Eighmy, the Bulletin's editor, said the paper stands by its editorial despite the News Council decision.
"We disagree with it, but if they want to rule that way, that's their choice," he said.
The Minnesota News Council was created in 1970 to promote fair, vigorous and trusted journalism. The council's determinations are advisory and carry no sanctions.
Kevin Giles • 651-298-1554
