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Cohen: Fact-based journalism needed now more than ever

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Ever since COVID-19 began to impact our community, I have been using my Rec Center Show on KSCW Radio 103.1 to focus exclusively on the impact of this deadly virus on the Recreation Centers of Sun City West.

With more than 40 years of news radio experience as a producer, editor, writer and correspondent in New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and West Palm Beach, Florida, I deliver to you the facts on the wide ranging impact of COVID-19 and what the rec centers officials are doing each week to keep you safe. Recreation Centers of Sun City West General Manager Bill Schwind joins me each week with one other rec center official to update the community on what is closed, what is open and what owner-members need to do when they use one of the rec center venues, from using masks to keeping social distance.

In news we have an expression called “burying the lead” and that is exactly what I just did in order for you to know what I do on my show and what I have done during my career. The lead of this piece is when you are on the air, you have a responsibility to never abuse your First Amendment right of free speech. I only deliver you the facts when I do my Rec Center Show. The only time anyone with a microphone in front of them should deliver an opinion is when you make it clear what you are doing is an editorial. When you are on the air, you need to deliver a full story with all sides covered without delivering a story with a particular bias.

In addition to my show, I have gone on the air on other days with urgent updates from the rec centers so the information can get out there as fast as possible. You can count on me continuing to stay with this life-changing story as we continue to navigate through it. I am using all I have learned and all I have done from coast to coast to deliver to you the facts, not my opinion. If I give you my opinion you will know it because I will tell you the magic words “in my opinion.”

Listen carefully when you watch the national and local news and do your own research to get all the facts you need. Try to recognize when you are hearing news that has bias injected into it. Get all sides of a story. Be informed. Stay informed, and above all else in these trying times, stay well, stay healthy and take good care of yourselves.

Editor’s Note: Gary Cohen is the host of the Rec Center Show on 103.1 KSCW that airs 8 a.m. Tuesdays.