Story 'a mockery' of news
As a member of the media, I applaud any effort to present the truth, challenge the establishment, and question authority. However, that is certainly not what your writer Dave Brady accomplished in his article “Ask, And Ye Shall Receive From Channel 13” (February 1).
Brady didn’t just miss the mark when he decided to go after Gregg Lagerquist’s journalistic credibility — he made a mockery of himself and your paper.
Lagerquist’s credibility as a journalist is beyond reproach. He is highly respected in the business and the community as a whole, both as a reporter, and a person. Professionally, his hard work and talent has brought him numerous accolades, including a prestigious Walter Cronkite award. Personally, he is incredibly dedicated to the community, volunteering his time and serving on non-profit boards, as well as serving as a leader and mentor in our newsroom.
It was Lagerquist’s commitment to the community that brought him to the event that your reporter profiled. Brady’s report — loosely classified as news — took remarks from a seminar specifically focused on how to get the attention of the local news media. Lagerquist was volunteering his time at the non-profit event — geared to help public-relations professionals hone their skills.
That anyone would call into question Lagerquist’s journalistic integrity is offensive and insulting to me as his coworker and friend — and I believe to the entire profession.
Gregg Lagerquist holds journalistic integrity to the highest standard, and I firmly believe anyone who has had the honor of working with him or knowing him in any capacity would agree.
Carrie Hopperstad
Executive Producer, WGME News 13
Lagerquist’s response
Gregg Lagerquist of WGME Channel 13 responded to the article “Ask, And Ye Shall Receive From Channel 13” (by Dave Brady, February 1), saying it misrepresented his statements and actions, and offering his account of the event reported in the story. His response is available online in the comments section below the story. He posted twice, and asks readers to look at both his postings.
