The largest newspaper in South Dakota has declined to publish an update from Gov. Kristi Noem on the state’s coronavirus status, suggesting the information she is providing is not “reliable.”
“Today, the @argusleader declined to publish an op-ed by Gov. Noem updating South Dakotans on the state’s #COVID19 situation,” Noem communications director Ian Fury posted on Twitter Thursday afternoon. “Argus and @RCJournal had previously agreed that they would both publish the update from the Governor so that it would have a statewide reach.”
Today, the @argusleader declined to publish an op-ed by Gov. Noem updating South Dakotans on the state’s #COVID19 situation. Argus and @RCJournal had previously agreed that they would both publish the update from the Governor so that it would have a statewide reach. (THREAD 1/)
— Ian Fury (@IanTFury) October 22, 2020
In a lengthy Twitter thread, Fury explained that the Argus Leader asked the South Dakota Republican’s office to make changes, including a clarification on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s face mask guidelines and data citations, which Fury says the governor did.
“They wanted us to clarify CDC guidance on masks, even though the op-ed explicitly referred to (and linked to) CDC guidance on masks,” Fury wrote. “We made the reference even more explicit. They also asked for a couple of citations on data, and we provided those.”
Fury says the paper then stated it would not publish comments from two anonymous South Dakota doctors, one of whom questioned the efficacy of face masks.
“Argus said, ‘We won’t print anonymous messages she says she received’ (nevermind that Argus has published anonymous sources attacking the Governor in the past.),” Fury continued. “They said we could paraphrase the anonymous quotes, so we did.”
According to Fury, the Argus Leader then officially declined to publish the article, opting instead to publish an op-ed slamming the governor’s response to the virus.
A statement from the Argus Leader to the Washington Examiner, which was also sent to Fury, explains that “in the realm of science and pandemic response, ‘both sides’ doesn’t always apply.”
“We’ve decided to pass on the op-ed that Gov. Noem submitted,” the full statement said. “Normally we are open to guest columns on major issues that present opposing perspectives, such as past entries from Gov. Noem, Sen. Thune, Rep. Johnson, etc. In this case, however, we want to be sure that we’re providing reliable information (backed by CDC guidelines) to our readers during a public health crisis, especially with South Dakota among the states hardest hit. In the realm of science and pandemic response, ‘both sides’ doesn’t always apply. We’re confident that the Governor has many other avenues through which she can let her views be known on this particular issue.”
Fury began winding down his Twitter thread by questioning why the state’s largest paper “doesn’t want the people of South Dakota to read an update from their governor on the biggest health crisis the state has seen in more than a century.”
“In short, @argusleader had an opportunity to provide their readers with an important update on #COVID19 from their Governor,” Fury wrote at the end of the thread. “Instead, they chose to score cheap political points. It’s shameful.”
The other South Dakota paper that Noem submitted the update to, the Rapid City Journal, decided in favor of publishing the article, and Noem posted it on Twitter along with her position on face masks.
“If folks want to wear a mask, they are free to do so,” Noem tweeted. “Those who don’t want to wear a mask shouldn’t be shamed into it, and govt should not mandate it. We need to respect each other’s decisions. In SD, we know a little common courtesy can go a long way.”
If folks want to wear a mask, they are free to do so. Those who don’t want to wear a mask shouldn’t be shamed into it, and govt should not mandate it. We need to respect each other’s decisions. In SD, we know a little common courtesy can go a long way. https://t.co/MpP3cwKEtn
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) October 22, 2020
Noem has been widely criticized by many healthcare experts and political pundits for not imposing strict lockdown measures in her state, and those critiques have intensified as confirmed coronavirus cases have shot up in the state in October.
Noem addressed those criticisms in her update rejecting a “one-size-fits-all” approach and pointing out that cases have also risen in places with mandatory mask requirements and stay-at-home orders.
“Though we all look forward to a time when COVID-19 is behind us, a one-size-fits-all approach remains elusive,” Noem wrote. “This includes mandatory masking. In many other places – from Los Angeles and Miami to London and Paris – cases have exploded despite the existence of mask mandates and other harsh restrictions.”
Noem did urge residents in her state to wear face coverings in certain situations as a precaution, such as when “caring for a symptomatic person who is coughing or sneezing” or “in hospital settings.”
“I’m going to continue to ask South Dakotans to be extra diligent about their personal hygiene and to stay home if they are sick,” Noem wrote in her update’s closing paragraph. “I’m going to continue to trust South Dakotans to make wise and well-informed decisions for themselves and their families. I’m also asking that we all show respect and understanding to those who make choices we may not agree with. Our trust in the data and in each other has been rewarded. This is a testament to the people of South Dakota – our greatest weapon against this common enemy.”
