The View From Prospect Hill for the week of March 8

   The Somerville Truth was first published January 1, 1883 by D.E.W. Stone. The paper went on to become a scourge to both the city it served and the name it held. It attacked the innocent, misrepresented the earnest, and maligned city officials. Nearly as much space was devoted to Cambridge and Charlestown news as to Somerville interests.
   Luckily, The Truth is an unfortunate footnote to Somerville‚Äôs splendid media history. Many of our other publications, such as The Gem, The Citizen, The Chronicle, The News and The Journal have contributed to a rich legacy of clean, progressive and helpful local papers.
   But that legacy is a tenuous one as the media can often be manipulated by the bad guys for personal and political gain. This week a man who made big news on the front page of last week‚Äôs  Journal by slinging accusations of corruption at a city department head has claimed he was misquoted and his words twisted.

    Our personal reputations are the most valuable asset we have. However people may feel on the particular matter discussed in last week‚Äôs Journal, they must acknowledge the utmost importance of the accuracy and thorough research of local media.
    The Journal is an award winning newspaper with much to be proud of but they should have shown more care and respect for a man‚Äôs integrity and reputation before printing front-page accusations that may have serious effects not only for the individual but also for the entire city. How many people read that story and though to themselves, ‚Äúthe bad old days are back in Somerville‚Äù?
    We at the Somerville News hope we can approach the lofty goals The Somerville Chronicle set April 4, 1874 when publisher H.W. Pittman wrote, ‚ÄúWe shall make an honest and determined effort to supply the citizens of Somerville with a local organ which shall be a vehicle of such news as will specially interest them. Columns will be devoted to the upbuilding of Somerville, independent of all parties and subservient to no clique.‚Äù
    A high standard, but one worth pursuing. We hope our talented peers at the Journal will join us and eschew any the practices of D.E.W. Stone and The Truth.