Rev. Haynes overplayed?

     The dominant package on Tuesday's Page One gave readers an informative look at the Rev. Frederick Haynes, pastor of Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas and a local minister who's a finalist in the NAACP's search for a leader who can help revive the troubled organization. The package also listed the other finalists: Benjamin Jealous and Alvin Brown.

     At 5 columns wide and nearly 12 inches deep with a striking photo of an elegant Rev. Haynes preaching, the package was impressive, but "Barney," a reader in one of the counties adjacent to Tarrant, felt that S-T editors had blown the story out of proportion. He e-mailed:

     "I can't believe it! Right on the front page of today's S-T is the article (with picture) of a black preacher, a friend of Jeremiah Wright, who may resurrect the NAACP! And, if this isn't enough, the article continues on half of the second page. I can't believe that the editors of the S-T believes this article is of such news-worthiness that it should occupy this much printers ink or that they would think that the majority of S-T readers would consider it a top news story."

     I agreed that the package may have been overplayed, given the heartrending news out of San Angelo about FLDS mothers being forced to leave their children and Rev. Wright's Dallas ties. Still, on the face of things, I speculated that editors added up several factors that led them to play the story so powerfully:

     Relatively "local" minister + pastor of one of the biggest black churches in the U.S. + powerful enough to + make the finalist cut + as contender for one of the most powerful political positions in the nation's private sector + capable perhaps of bringing about major change in that institutional powerhouse + and bringing fresh change to the nation's political landscape in the process. Plus, the package brought diversity into the Page One mix. And the development overall reeked of power and prestige, which draws a journalist's attention like the sound of a squeaky gate draws the attention of any watchdog. I could list additional reasons, but those alone add up to plenty of reason to play the package at the size of its news value.

     Never heard back from Barney, so I don't know whether he agrees. What do you think?

     -- David House

Comments

[Eugene Merritt, Fort Worth]

I think it is noteworthy to mention that what took priority with Barney's observations was that the article (with picture, mind you)was about a "black man". First and foremost, his thoughts were not about issues surrounding a preacher being on the front page but exclusively that a black man, who happened to be a preacher, was prominently displayed as well as information regarding the NAACP's search for a leader. I agree with you that the article was important news and deserved to receive the attention that it did. The NAACP is the oldest institution in the Civil Rights movement and still has a lot of clout even though it has lost some of its luster through the years.

[Correlia Allen]

As a life-long resident of Tarrant county and Fort Worth (your primary target audience) I appreciated your piece on Rev. Haynes even though he is a Dallas minister. ;-)

Any time our metroplex can produce front-running contenders for nationally prominent organizations, it should be high-lighted in the local press.

Please also understand that a significant percentage of your readership is not and was not offended by anything Rev. Wright said. As support, please note recent demographic shifts in North Texas.

The Black Church as a very complex mission and lesson to impart. Instead of offense, one should seek first to understand its origin.

Just my opinion.