News from Native America
Indian Country Fires Back at Fired Reporter
By Emily Esterson, 10-02-06
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There's been an interesting kerfuffle afoot in Indian Country for the past week or so, that shines a light on the oft-confused difference between advocacy and niche publishing.
Last week Indian Country Today, the largest and most respected publication serving the nation's native population, fired reporter Brenda Norrell. In response, Norrell lobbed various accusations at ICT, including censorship and gender discrimination. The information found an audience on the web, specifically on the www.indianz.com, a news aggregation website. Today, Indian Country Today's editors responded to Norrell, on indianz.com and on their own editorial page.
In an email posted by George Joe, publisher of Navajo Nation-based Rez Bizmagazine, Norrell claimed that ICT's editors censored some of her stories, particularly about the heritage of Colorado Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, environmental racism, and tribal corruption. During her tenure at the newspaper, Norrell had tussled with editors about the accuracy of her stories, and those in the know say Norrell just didn't like to be edited. In one of the most ironic twists of this story, Norrell accuses ICT of hiring non-native editors, when she herself is non-native.
In its response, ICT writes that it is fiercely independent "of any political dictum from anyone, including ICT's owner, the Oneida Indian Nation, which has publicly committed to a position of no interference with editorial decisions. Its leadership has challenged us to meet the highest possible journalistic standards."
And well they should. Should a publication fall deeply into sycophantic snarling, it would only loose respect. And while Norrell's desire to advocate for Native Americans (and indeed, she must have a strong one) is probably a good thing, it got in the way of journalistic good sense. She's got a blog although she's no longer working at ICT, her supporters can read her stories online (including the censored ones), and decide for themselves.
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Comments
Your article is not accurate. I never accused ICT of racism. I accused them of censorship and gender discrimination in an e-mail to my friends. Also, I haven't blogged or added to my old website lately. Both have been there for a while. I have been busy covering the Border Summit of the Americas for the UN Observer and International Report, on the Tohono O'odham Nation.
It would be a good thing to check your facts before criticizing other reporters of not doing so.
Also, I'll give you a scoop. I filed a formal letter of complaint with ICT management about censorship and gender discrimination just six days before I was fired. I was fired with no reason stated.
If you'll look at ICT online, you'll see that just today my articles on the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were posted on ICT's website. If I was so innacurate, would those appear after I was fired. I have worked for 23 years covering Indian news, including five years as a correspondent for Associated Press and seven years freelancing for USA Today.
Good riddance. Let's get some real Indian reporters in there.
Te wa a co' hona ahey! ;)