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Contrary to what some might say, members of the news media are not the enemy. True journalists work to serve the public interest, rarely losing sight of the fact that ever-more information helps citizens form educated opinions and decisions.
That’s why Thursday’s slaughter of four journalists and one staffer in an Annapolis, Md., newsroom is a crime felt to the core, heavy with shock and sadness.
Jarrod Ramos, 38, was being held without bail for shooting through the glass door of the Capital Gazette newspaper group, then spraying the newsroom with gunfire; he is believed to have had a long-running grudge against the newspaper. Killed in the deadliest attack on a U.S. media outlet since 9/11 were assistant editor Rob Hiaasen, 59; features writer Wendi Winters, 65; editorial page editor Gerald Fischman, 61; reporter John McNamara; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant.
On Friday, President Donald Trump, who’s had his conflicts with reporters, rightly said: “Journalists, like all Americans, should be free from the fear of being violently attacked while doing their job.”
Around the globe, journalists risk their lives daily to bring real news into people’s homes. As of May 2, 27 journalists have been killed in the line of duty, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists; 46 were killed in 2017. Most occurred in countries suffering war or severe strife, so the inconceivable notion that violence would burst into newsrooms keeps very few journalists out of them.
The spirit of the profession was conveyed by the Capital Gazette not missing a beat, putting out Friday’s edition of the mayhem in its own workplace. As tweeted Thursday night by a heartbroken Jimmy DeButts, an editor at the paper: “I’m in no position to speak, just know @capgaznews reporters & editors give all they have every day. There are no 40 hour weeks, no big paydays — just a passion for telling stories from our community.”
And so it goes.
Aloha and tax credits for filming
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” on the big screen, “Hawaii Five-0” and “Magnum, P.I.” on the little screen.
This week, Hollywood’s spotlights shined brightly on Hawaii, a reminder that filming is big business here. It also reminds us of the constant pressure on states to shell out tax credits, and the need to maintain a give-and-take balance.
The premiere of the latest “Jurassic World” installment, partially filmed in Hawaii, brought a news release from the Motion Picture Association of America, touting the movie’s $31 million-plus in local economic activity and over $6.9 million in wages to over 1,200 local workers. As for “Hawaii Five-0” and “Magnum, P.I.”: An open casting call is being held today, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at the former Ryan’s Grill at Ward Center. The two CBS shows are seeking locals of all types to fill roles, so expect long lines.
The buzz and excitement such productions bring to Hawaii are welcome, underscoring the state’s competitive film production and digital media tax credit: It gives qualifying productions a 20 percent tax credit on costs incurred on Oahu, 25 percent on the neighbor islands. And despite some doubts — including from a 2016 critical state auditor’s report — about the tax credits’ economic benefits and monitoring, the program that was to have ended this year has been extended to Jan. 1, 2026.
There’s a $15 million tax-credit cap per production, with the total state cap set at $35 million yearly. Powerful players were back at the Legislature this past session, attempting to raise the aggregate state cap. But more compelling cost-benefit stats are needed; Hawaii is unique and, on balance, shouldn’t sell itself short.
RIMPAC meets the Indo-Pacific
To the three newcomers to this year’s RIMPAC — Israel, Sri Lanka and Vietnam — we say shalom, ayubowan and xin chao. To all of the other 22 participating nations, we say welcome back.
RIMPAC, or Rim of the Pacific, is the multinational war games staged every two years in waters off Hawaii, in the interest of global cooperation and preparedness. This year’s contingent of 25 nations is the biggest in the exercises’ 47-year history, and it’s estimated to pump $50 million into the local economy from its start this past Wednesday through Aug. 2; the harbor phase runs through July 8. The exercises involve 46 surface ships, five submarines, over 200 aircraft, 18 national land forces and 25,000 personnel.
“RIMPAC brings together like-minded nations who value a free and open Indo-Pacific area,” Adm. John Aquilino, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, said Thursday.
RIMPAC’s global outreach and coordination seem more relevant today than ever. The former U.S. Pacific Command based at Oahu’s Camp Smith was renamed just a month ago to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, reflecting the increasing connectivity between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Though these are “war games,” Hawaii and its global networks are more vital than ever to maintaining peace.
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