Guilford resident stonewalled over ‘misinformation’

Says he’s encountered censorship from The Day Publishing Company, Guilford Courier

Dave Holman hasn’t stayed silent on the issues affecting his town of Guilford; but after 4 years of many published letters to the editor, he’s met with silence. Guilford Courier Editor Laura Robida rejected one of Holman’s letters because his sources were deemed, “unreliable, right wing,” and “spreaders of misinformation.” 

His letter, “Do Guilford Citizens Approve?” described Guilford State Rep. Moira Rader speaking at a “Hands Off” rally on the Guilford Green, sponsored by “Move On”, Black Lives Matters, the NEA, Planned Parenthood, and the Communist Party USA. 

When Holman provided confirmation, Robida rejected the sources, including the Epoch Times, the Connecticut Centinal and the Continental Tribune, writing these promote “conspiracy theories, unverified claims, and disinformation—regardless of topic.”

“I was so stunned by her comments that I blind-carbon copied members of the local press when I replied to her,” Holman says, “hoping they would print my letter, but one of them, Susan Braden of Hearst Media, instead told [Robida] that I had [blind-carbon copied] her. [Robida] … told me how ‘inappropriate’ it was, when in reality, what was inappropriate were her comments, and now she was exposed.” 

Tim Dwyer and Laura Giannelli are the principal officers at the Day Publishing Company, which owns Zip06 and the Guilford Courier.  Holman says he’s sent almost a dozen emails “with lots of information” to them, but to date has received no response.

‘Journalistic practices’

Editor Robida addressed the question of standards and whether political leanings affected whether or not the Courier would publish.

“To clarify, our editorial standards are not based on political ideology but on journalistic credibility, factual accuracy, and the presence of transparent editorial oversight….While all news organizations are fallible and subject to criticism, the difference lies in their accountability structures: [to] issue corrections, adhere to professional journalistic codes … subject to public editorial scrutiny.

We evaluate the reliability of all sources on a case-by-case basis, with emphasis on:

• Transparent sourcing
• Fact-checking and correction policies
• Journalistic accountability
• Editorial independence
• A demonstrated record of accuracy

… As stated previously, we continue to welcome a wide range of viewpoints, including those critical of elected officials or prevailing political trends—provided they are factually grounded and relevant to our local community.”

The Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists contain the verbiage of “truth”, “fairness” and “accuracy”; but ultimately, an individual or small group within, determines whether an outlet will publish.

Newer, inclusive outlets

Holman’s emails invite the publishers to discussion toward resolution, but no response is ever given. “I know the rules for letters to the editor to be approved and through trial and error have done my best to comply with them”.

He says, “The last correspondence I received from the Editor of the Guilford Courier, Laura Robida, was on Tuesday, April 15^th.  She concluded [that] email with ‘As always, our letters page exists to promote civil, fact-based dialogue among members of our local community.  We reserve the right to decline submissions that do not meet those standards.’ 

My letters to….the Guilford Courier….have always been civil and fact based….[I’ve] always included quotes and asked provocative questions with the intent of informing, and alerting, the citizens of Guilford as to what is happening in our town. 

For the Editor … to claim my letters are “inaccurate” because my sources are “unreliable, right wing”, and “spreaders of disinformation”, is outrageous and totally false.  Thank God for publications like the Epoch Times, the Connecticut Centinal, and the Continental Tribune that are diverse, inclusive, believe in freedom of speech, and are not afraid to expose things like the madness that is happening in Guilford.”