Continuing developments in the Texas UFO sightings incidents are raising eyebrows.
Several of these new elements are of interest for people curious about UFOs as well as Americans and journalism professionals concerned about the integrity of the news media in the United States.
A case about an unusual and unconventional occurrence such as a cluster of UFO sightings is becoming intertwined with more conventional analysis of U.S. news media ownership and ethics.
Interestingly, the Stephenville case may shed more light on both of these areas.
In addition, other aspects of some surrounding circumstances include foreign ownership of American media outlets, financial interests and media influence, and how these affect media coverage of a wide range of news issues.
PATROL CAR VIDEOTAPE
According to published and radio reports, several local peace officers have not only observed unidentified and highly unusual objects in the sky, but one amazing and transforming object was caught on a police car's video camera.
The videotape has been reviewed by Erath County Constable Lee Roy Gaitan, an elected law enforcement and public safety official, and he has described the details to Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist Linda Moulton Howe.
Howe reported this news on her Web site, Earthfiles.com, and on the well-known author Whitley Strieber's "Dreamland" online radio show (UnknownCountry.com).
Officers have drawn sketches of what they saw and described behavior of the objects they observed. The officers are reported to be reluctant about speaking publicly due to the sensitive nature of their observations and are concerned about pressures and about losing their jobs.
Also, local residents are reportedly continuing to see very unusual objects in the sky, according to sources living in the region. Many citizens have purchased cameras in case an opportunity to take photos and video occurs.
A new Web site, StephenvilleLights.com, has been launched by local residents as a clearinghouse for new reports, background and other information related to past, recent and ongoing developments.
TEXAS NEWSPAPER OWNERSHIP
Meanwhile, reporting on elements of the sightings at one of the local newspapers, the Stephenville Empire-Tribune, has resulted in both praise and concern.
Initial reporting in the newspaper on the statements by local citizens, follow-up interviews with witnesses and local officials along with well-written news articles helped identify important and interesting aspects of the sightings.
When the national and international news media then continued responsible and fairly thorough research and reporting, Americans and people around the world were able to get a good picture of the situation in the Erath County sightings.
Then, when a reporter at the newspaper left employment there as the story was getting even more serious, with alleged threats of bodily harm or death against a local witness, ethics and professionalism at the newspaper became an area of concern.
Researchers and interested people noted that the parent company of the Empire-Tribune was listed on the newspaper's Web site as "Erath Publishers, Inc., a Consolidated Southwest Media company which is owned by American Consolidated Media."
It was also noted on the Web site that, "The Empire-Tribune is a member of the Associated Press, Texas Press Association, West Texas Press Association and the Inland Press Association."
Now, it has been learned that American Consolidated Media is actually owned by a huge foreign conglomerate involved in banking, investments, toll-road construction and a wide range of other financial activities.
Australia-based Macquarie Media Group, the owner of the Empire-Tribune and other Texas community newspapers, is a component of the organization that includes Macquarie Bank and multiple other entities, including Macquarie Infrastructure Group which is planning a controversial and potentially very profitable toll-road construction project in Texas.
The controversy in Texas about various aspects of the toll road itself has also spread to Macquarie's acquisition of local media outlets, such as the Stephenville Empire-Tribune and other Texas newspapers.
Some opponents of the Texas toll road project have even alleged that Macquarie is buying newspapers to manage media coverage and opposition to the road project.
Upon acquiring American Consolidated Media, the Macquarie organization simply stated that they considered the purchase a good investment, according to published reports.
Macquarie is known for hiring former politicians in Australia as highly-paid executives.
Macquarie also purchased the investment firm formerly owned by a recent candidate for the U.S. presidency.
According to Wikipedia.org, "An unusual feature of Macquarie Bank, as a financial institution, is the very strong political connections that it maintains through the appointment of former politicians and senior political staffers to senior and highly paid positions."
Texans and others might wonder how foreign ownership of local, regional and national media outlets might affect news coverage of current events that range from UFO sightings to toll road projects.
With concerns by some people about plans for a "superhighway" running through the U.S., Mexico and Canada as part of a "North American Union" (a legal and economic union of the three nations), aspects of the role of media and foreign corporations and their relationships with regional and national officials reportedly is of interest to many Americans.
MANY KINDS OF DISCLOSURE
The term "disclosure" in the UFO research field is often used to describe efforts by researchers and the public to learn more, and even to describe possible processes by officials to gradually and safely, and often indirectly, release more information about the situation.
In more conventional terms, such as behind-the-scenes activities involving politicians, government officials and financial interests, we rely on a vigorous, responsible and professional news media to inform us about irregularities and areas for concern.
When our news media comes under scrutiny itself, getting accurate information and comprehensive insight can be even more challenging.
Getting a complete picture seems to be an important factor in the Stephenville and Erath County UFO sightings.
And, some Texans might say the same about the controversial toll road project and the acquisition of regional news outlets.
Specifically regarding UFO sightings, in addition to the roles of citizens, local public safety officials and the media, we also must realize that our military and intelligence professionals are in the position in which they must consider how best to handle ongoing sensitive activities in ways that benefit our people and our nation.
These can be very complex matters which require a sense of many elements involved including "need to know" communication and legitimate security concerns, rights of Americans for reasonable understanding about various situations as well as liaison and rapport with responsible media professionals and organizations.
And our nation also benefits from a measure of open and accurate media coverage on a wide range of current events, from UFOs to foreign media ownership to toll roads and the North American Union superhighway.
Texans and Americans have faced many challenges in the past and are doing so now. The future will also present opportunities to learn more about unconventional developments, more down-to-Earth controversies ... and about ourselves.
