The following story was submitted by writer/author, Lisa Minney
WARNING
Please be advised that the material covered in this story is of an EXPLICIT NATURE and should not be read by, in the presence of or to children. The purpose of this article being submitted is to bring to the attention of local communities that while freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment, there is also a moral expectation and obligation of publishers. Especially when said newspaper can be found in schools, libraries, homes, etc, where young readers have access and should not be exposed to the material mentioned. – Shari Johnson, Publisher, Ridgeview News
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Historically, the award-winning newspaper chose not to publish the details provided by public record police reports, however when Miller joined the staff, the newspaper began publishing the complaints against those accused. While Miller has never named the victims, in a small community and on a small state college campus, she is specific enough for them to often be identifiable anyway.
Newspaper reporters do have the right to access and use public records in order to inform the readership and the community of newsworthy and entertaining local stories. However, when the graphic description of the assault appeared in the formerly family-friendly publication, the community became outraged, discussing the issue on social media.
Leisa Junkins noted, “I can’t imagine why anyone would go into such detail in a newspaper!! I won’t be buying their paper any longer if this is what they’re pushing on us. There’s enough nasty in the world and we do not need it in our weekly paper!!”
Dawne McHenry posted, “This should never have been published the way it was! It could have been stated very different! Ridiculous!”
In a letter sent to the editor, a community parent noted, “My son reads at a 5th grade level in the 1st grade… My child has always enjoyed reading the paper; therefore I have encouraged it. I am very distraught to discover that articles lately have been very unappropriated for any child, regardless of age. At least with movies there is a rating warning parents of content… With their recent publications there has been NO warning and/or past history that would have prepared me for my 6-year-old son asking me, “Mom what does labia mean?” and again when he asked, “what is a clitoris?”
WV STATE CODE §61-8A-2 notes that “Any adult, with knowledge of the character of the matter, who knowingly and intentionally distributes, offers to distribute, or displays to a minor any obscene matter, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $25,000, or confined in a state correctional facility for not more than five years, or both.” Many members of the community think the publisher, manager, and newspaper reporter should be charged.
The situation has already caused one community member to be charged with a crime. The public librarian, previously an award-winning newspaper reporter herself, visited the newspaper office to take issue with the insensitivity and obscenity of the article. She was later charged with trespassing because she did not immediately leave the premises when ordered to do so. On November 22, Lisa Hayes-Minney pled no contest in magistrate court to the trespassing charge. When contacted for comment, Minney replied, “I doubt if I was even there five minutes. They had zero remorse for what they had published.”
In addition to the sexually graphic description of the assault, the community has additional concerns. Will rape victims come forward in the future, knowing the details of their attack will be published? Will courts be able to seat juries for cases presented in such a manner? Will the newspaper follow up to make note when such charges are dismissed or those arrested are found not guilty?
Shortly after the sexually descriptive article was circulated through the community, a new online news source has emerged for those who no longer wish to read The Glenville Democrat / Pathfinder, but still want to be informed about the community. The Connect Gilmer monthly newsletter released its very first issue in November, with a website coming soon.
Miller, the reporter who wrote the article, was sentenced in federal court in 2013 for conspiring to misuse a physician’s U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registration number in Mingo County. She returned to Gilmer County shortly thereafter.
