Ben Metzger: Ignorance and Arrogance Is Unethical for the Bangor Daily News
By William John Crandall
Ethics is not optional in journalism. It is the foundation that allows the public to trust the information they read, the stories they follow, and the reporters who shape the narrative of their communities. When a news organization allows ignorance or arrogance to influence its public interactions, it risks far more than a single negative experience. It risks its credibility, its professional reputation, and the trust of the people it claims to serve.
The Bangor Daily News is one of Maine’s most visible and influential news outlets. Because of that visibility, its employees carry a responsibility that extends beyond their personal opinions or communication style. They represent the publication, the standards of journalism, and the ethical expectations of the profession. When an employee behaves dismissively, unprofessionally, or arrogantly, the public does not see it as an isolated incident. They see it as a reflection of the organization’s values.
This blog examines why ignorance and arrogance are fundamentally incompatible with ethical journalism, and why such behavior from an employee like Ben Metzger raises important questions about the standards the Bangor Daily News chooses to uphold.
Journalism requires humility, not hubris. A journalist cannot accurately report on a world they refuse to understand. Ignorance is not merely a personal flaw in this field; it is a professional liability. When a journalist or media representative dismisses facts, ignores context, or refuses to engage with information that challenges their assumptions, they undermine the very purpose of their work.
Arrogance makes the problem worse. It communicates a belief that one’s position grants immunity from accountability. It suggests that the journalist’s perspective is inherently superior to the lived experiences of the people they cover. It signals to the public that their concerns are not worth listening to.
When an employee of the Bangor Daily News behaves in a way that reflects these traits, whether through dismissive communication or unprofessional interactions, it sends a message that the publication tolerates such conduct. That message erodes trust. It alienates readers. It contradicts the ethical principles that journalism is built upon.
Every major journalism organization emphasizes the same core ethical principles. These include seeking truth, minimizing harm, acting independently, and being accountable. These principles are not suggestions. They are the standards that define responsible journalism.
Seek Truth and Report It. This requires curiosity, diligence, and humility. Ignorance is the enemy of truth.
Minimize Harm. Arrogance blinds individuals to the impact of their words and actions.
Act Independently. Ethical journalism demands freedom from personal bias, ego, and emotional reaction.
Be Accountable and Transparent. Accountability requires the willingness to admit mistakes, listen to criticism, and correct course. Arrogance makes accountability nearly impossible.
When a representative of the Bangor Daily News fails to embody these principles, it becomes more than a personal failing. It becomes a breach of professional ethics. And when such behavior is tolerated or ignored by the organization, it becomes a systemic issue that affects the entire publication.
This matters deeply for the people of Maine. The Bangor Daily News is not just another publication. It is a central source of information for thousands of Mainers. Its reporting influences public opinion, shapes community conversations, and documents the events that define the state.
When an employee behaves with ignorance or arrogance, it undermines public trust in the news outlet. It damages confidence in the accuracy of reporting. It discourages citizens from speaking with journalists. It harms the integrity of the publication’s brand.
People expect professionalism from those who hold the power to shape narratives. They expect fairness, respect, and ethical conduct. When those expectations are not met, the public begins to question not only the individual but the institution that employs them.
If the Bangor Daily News wants to maintain its reputation as a credible news source, it must ensure that its employees, including Ben Metzger, uphold the ethical standards that journalism demands.
This blog is written not out of malice, but out of necessity. Journalism is too important to be compromised by unprofessional behavior. Ethical lapses, whether rooted in ignorance, arrogance, or simple carelessness, must be addressed openly and corrected decisively.
The Bangor Daily News has an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to ethical journalism. It can choose to ensure that its employees conduct themselves with professionalism, humility, and respect. Or it can ignore the issue and allow public trust to erode further.
As a writer, a citizen, and someone who believes deeply in the power of ethical storytelling, I urge the Bangor Daily News to choose the path of integrity.
In journalism, ethics is not optional. It is the foundation upon which everything else stands.
Written by William John Crandall
Social Injustice: How Draft2Digital Outmaneuvers Unsuspecting Authors Out of Their Manuscripts
By WILLIAM JOHN CRANDALL
The Digital Dream That Turned Into a Data Trap
In the modern publishing world, authors are told that digital platforms are the gateway to freedom — a way to bypass gatekeepers and reach readers directly. Draft2Digital, among others, has long marketed itself as a champion of independent voices. But beneath the surface of convenience lies a troubling pattern that many writers have begun to recognize: the quiet erosion of creative ownership.
When authors upload their manuscripts, they’re not just sharing stories — they’re surrendering data. Each paragraph, each bank detail entered for royalty payments, becomes part of a vast digital ecosystem that few understand. The promise of empowerment often masks a deeper imbalance of power.
The Hidden Exchange
The process seems simple: upload your book, link your bank account, and wait for royalties. Yet, when the system fails — when accounts are suddenly closed, dashboards vanish, or communication ceases — the silence speaks volumes. Authors find themselves locked out of their own creative vaults, their manuscripts still circulating in unseen corners of the digital world.
This isn’t just about lost access; it’s about lost identity. The very information meant to pay creators can become the thread that unravels their control. In a world driven by algorithms, data is currency — and authors are often the unknowing suppliers.
The Metaphor of the Machine
Imagine a vast, glowing machine labeled “Platform.” Manuscripts swirl upward into its core, pages and data merging into streams of binary light. The authors stand below, reaching out as their words disappear into the system. It’s not theft in the traditional sense — it’s absorption. The machine doesn’t steal names; it replaces them.
This metaphor captures the emotional truth of what many creators feel: dispossession disguised as progress. The platform’s efficiency becomes its armor, shielding it from accountability while authors struggle to reclaim their voices.
Identity in the Age of Automation
The digital publishing revolution promised equality, but automation has blurred the lines between creator and system. When a platform can replicate an author’s style, manage their royalties, and control their visibility, the author becomes a data point rather than a partner.
The result? A generation of writers who feel erased by the very tools meant to empower them. Their creative fingerprints remain — but their names fade from the ledger.
A Call for Ethical Reform
This story isn’t just about one company; it’s about a systemic failure to protect creative identity in the digital age. Authors deserve transparency, fair treatment, and the right to control their intellectual property. Platforms must be held to ethical standards that respect the sanctity of authorship.
Data protection isn’t optional — it’s the foundation of trust. Without it, the digital publishing world risks becoming a marketplace of ghosts, where stories live on but their creators are forgotten.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Narrative
“Social Injustice” isn’t just a title — it’s a warning. The publishing revolution must evolve beyond convenience and profit. It must return to its roots: creativity, respect, and integrity.
Authors are not data points. They are the heartbeat of literature. And as long as their voices remain, the light beyond the gate will never fade.
Add comment
Comments