Kay Harris
The Valdosta Daily Times
VALDOSTA —
Except in the newspaper. That is a tongue-in-cheek statement, but it’s fairly accurate given the many sources of information, or should I say misinformation, that are available nowadays.
Many people don’t seem to understand that The Times doesn’t manufacture news, or provide commentary, other than on the editorial page or in columns. The news articles are judgment and speculation free. We have libel laws that we are bound to, which have nothing to do with Freedom of Speech.
So you may want us to put in a rant calling your ex-spouse out for various offenses, but we can’t run it. Politicians and taxpayer-funded positions and entities, however, are fair game, although we still maintain the high road and criticize the actions, not the personalities.
I’m saying all of this today because, although I’ve been aware of this for a while, I didn’t honestly realize how pervasive it is until I was contacted by someone about a company recently and I was asked to do some checking on the Internet to see what I could find.
Although I know there are companies, such as BP, who have their own faux news service to disseminate company propaganda, they’re a very large corporation with very deep pockets. This week, I have found that many small companies are accomplishing the same thing by issuing fake news reports lauding their company or products, but which have never been printed in any news outlet.
While I’m smart enough not to believe everything I read, am told, or even see at times, I still didn’t fully appreciate how easily one can get sucked into believing inaccurate and misleading “news.”
So at the very least, if you take nothing else from this, remember that not everything you read is true. While newspapers and to a large extent television news, etc., have guidelines we must follow — so if we print something that isn’t correct, we have to correct it, anyone can start a zine or be a blogger or an anonymous PR machine cranking out realistic-looking and sounding news reports that may or may not contain any resemblance to reality.
Kids Day at Belk
Next Saturday, Aug. 14, Belk is hosting a Kidfest, with children modeling the latest fashions, music, refreshments, games, prizes, balloons, face painting, etc. The event will be held from noon to 3 p.m. at the store and several dozen local vendors and businesses are participating. Churches are participating as well, offering a free child identification and safety program.
It’s a family-friendly event with a lot of activities, etc., planned so check it out!
Business Roundup
I understand the Horse Creek Winery in Berrien County just won some more gold medals for its wines in another competition, so kudos to them.
The new Vegas nightclub is now open. It’s on Highway 84 towards Quitman and used to be Rumors years ago.
Although the sign on the business and the sign on the street have two different spellings, Marc’s Pool Room is the correct name and yes, they are open for business. They’re located in the strip center on North Ashley Street with Firehouse on one end and the Garden Cafe on the other.
Mongo, the new Mongolian Fire Pit restaurant, got a nice paint job this week, but I haven’t seen anything else going on this week, inside or outside. Maybe it’s too hot. The restaurant is going on Ashley where the Southern Buffet used to be.
It looks like the Bank of Valdosta is now officially the Sunrise Bank. They have merged with several other banks in Georgia to form a new bank.
The Taco Bell on North Ashley will be moving. Right next door. The city council approved the restaurant to locate where the old Chinese restaurant in the green building used to be. It will be torn down and a new, more modern Taco Bell will be built there. No word yet on what will happen to the old Taco Bell land when the new one opens.
Cheddars has missed its original goal of groundbreaking in July but, since they are running ads and recruiting staff, they may just be a little delayed. The restaurant is going in next to WalMart on Norman Drive.
Kids are back in school — watch out for the little ones at bus stops, walking and crossing the roads.
That’s it for this week, but if there’s anything I missed, please let me know!
