Times Record Gives Unbiased Coverage of Editor?s Arrest

We’d like to commend the Southwest Times Record of Fort Smith for its thorough — maybe a little too thorough — and unbiased coverage of the arrest and resignation of its editor, Jack Moseley.

Moseley, 64, who had been with the newspaper for 25 years and had won more than 100 journalism awards, was charged with loitering in a Fort Smith park on May 10.

The Times Record said Moseley was “accused of making sexually suggestive comments to Fort Smith police detective Travis Watkins, who was working under cover at the park.” The newspaper quoted the police department’s account of the discussion between Moseley and Watkins, but we’ll spare you the details here.

The charge, which is a misdemeanor, prompted Moseley to resign May 15. His trial is scheduled for June 26. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Times Record is owned by Donrey Media Group of Fort Smith, which also owns The Morning News of Springdale.