Steven A Smith

Steven A. Smith is clinical associate professor emeritus in the School of Journalism and Mass Media at the University of Idaho having retired from full-time teaching at the end of May 2020. He writes a weekly opinion column. Smith is former editor of The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, Washington. As editor, Smith supervised all news and editorial operations on all platforms until his resignation in October 2008. Prior to joining The Spokesman-Review, Smith was editor for two years at the Statesman Journal in Salem, Oregon, and was for five years editor and vice president of The Gazette in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a graduate of the Northwestern University Newspaper Management Center Advanced Executive Program and a mid-career development program at Duke University. He holds an M.A. in communication from The Ohio State University where he was a Kiplinger Fellow, and a B.S. in journalism from the University of Oregon.

Reporting on the Atlanta killings

For a variety of reasons, the story presented journalists with several ethical issues involving racial stereotyping and the qualities of complete, accurate reporting.

Murphy is Gone — Mourning for our Animals

I grew up with pets, mostly dogs. I vowed years ago not to have another pet. It is just too hard to say goodbye.

A Lesson in Cancel Culture from Dr. Seuss

In our uncivil age, a whole lot of folks seem to have forgotten that lesson, or maybe never learned it in the first place. They confuse hurtful, unfeeling behavior with some form of self-expression or personal freedom.

COVID Milestone

It took only 13 months for the deadly COVID 19 pandemic to kill the equivalent of every resident of Spokane County.

Rush to Judgment

Limbaugh’s death last week produced varied reactions ranging from inconsolable personal and political grief on the part of his followers to outright glee on the part of his detractors.

Defying the New Nazis

In the days following the vandalism there was considerable teeth gnashing in Spokane, the usual “this is not us,” or “hopes and prayers,” and so on. But I doubt there is a Jew in our community who was surprised by the vandalism – or found much comfort in the expressions of sympathy and concern.

Why I do not pray

If praying provides that comfort for people of faith, so much the better. But I do not pray.

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