KUNR's Troubling Takedown of Gianna Jacks

The line between journalism and character assassination has grown increasingly blurred, and KUNR's recent "investigative" piece on Washoe County Library Trustee Gianna Jacks serves as a perfect case study in how media outlets sometimes prioritize takedowns over truth.

While traditional media outlets might dismiss independent platforms like Picon as "not real journalism," KUNR's handling of the Jacks story suggests that perhaps the traditional gatekeepers should reexamine their own professional standards before casting stones.

The fundamental issue isn't about Jacks' politics—agree with her or not, that's your prerogative. What's troubling is KUNR's approach to basic journalistic ethics. They contacted Jacks for comment, set a deadline, granted an extension when requested, and then—inexplicably—published without her response, claiming they "didn't hear from her."

Any journalist with genuine commitment to accuracy would have made a simple follow-up call before publishing a piece filled with insinuations and "maybes" about a public figure. Even a quick check of spam folders or a courtesy reminder would have revealed that Jacks had, in fact, submitted her response at 10:58 AM—well before the noon deadline on February 27, 2025.

KUNR's subsequent update to the story reads more like reluctant damage control than a genuine correction. They noted Jacks' response came "just over an hour before the extended deadline"—as if submitting before an agreed-upon deadline somehow deserves an asterisk. When Jacks explained the controversial Venmo payments were related to homeschooling, KUNR's tone suggested continued skepticism.

The irony reaches peak levels when you notice KUNR's Spring Fund Drive banner prominently displayed next to their article about Jacks. "KUNR is there for you. Be there for KUNR," the slogan reads. Apparently, KUNR wasn't quite "there" for Gianna Jacks, a mother of three young boys who found herself in the crosshairs of what appears to be agenda-driven reporting.

This raises questions for KUNR's donors, particularly Republicans who might now wonder if their financial support is funding an organization that seems eager to target individuals with conservative viewpoints. Perhaps it's time for supporters to contact former Governor Brian Sandoval and ask what's happening at KUNR.

When journalism morphs from fact-finding to target-seeking, everyone loses—the subjects of coverage, the public's trust in media, and ultimately, democracy itself.

Larry Chesney, Publisher, Picon Press Media

March 16, 2025