Fwd: Substance Press Credentials

[Rich Gibson <rgibson@pipeline.com>]

Dear Friends,

The American Federation of Teachers has rejected Substance News' 
request for press credentials for their upcoming convention on the 
grounds that SN is not a "legitimate news organization."

While one could make a pretty good case that the AFT is not a 
legitimate union, there are plenty of narrower grounds for 
complaints. One is made below.

NEA, about three times the size of AFT, has issued press credentials 
to Substance, as did George Bush.

I hope others who write for, read, or just respect the work Substance 
does, will notify the AFT that this kind of censorship is unacceptable.

All the best

(don't forget there are wars on)

r



> Date: Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:01:50 -0700
> To: jbass@aft.org
> From: Rich Gibson <rgibson@pipeline.com>
> Subject: Substance Press Credentials
> Cc: substanceGeoSchmidt
>
> Dear Ms Bass,
>
> I understand you have rejected Substance News editor George 
> Schmidt's request for press credentials for the upcoming AFT 
> convention on the grounds that Substance is not a legitimate news 
> organization.
>
> This decision will do you and the AFT no good.
>
> Substance is indeed a legitimate news organization. Fulbright 
> scholars, renowned authors of education books, education theorists 
> and reporters coming from many different angles write for Substance.
>
> We have, of course, sources inside the AFT who can keep us advised 
> of what is up in the convention, credentials or no. And the 
> convention will be covered by Substance.
>
> The upshot of your action will be to create an issue where there 
> should be no issue. You will make people distrust, from the outset, 
> AFT's designs inside the convention hall. This diversion you create 
> will only lend credence to those who are already critical of AFT's 
> sense of union democracy, transparency, and honesty.
>
> Who, Ms Bass, are you to make this decision? Please let me know if 
> the decision is not yours, but that of an elected top official of 
> AFT, and who that is.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Dr Richard Gibson
> Emeritus Professor of Education
> San Diego State University