That “Open Letter to Maureen Dowd?”  That’s what I was talking about at the conclusion of my last post over at InterFaith21.

Our increasingly discredited “mainstream” news organizations continue feeding a diet of Faux News from the right and the Dowds and Tom Friedmans on the left.

But the Internet is making accessible such folks as the knowledgeable Juan Cole. Also the ladies of Muslimah Media Watch where, on the subject of far-right politicians’ thinly veiled obsession with defining how Muslim women should dress, see here and here.

Can’t say enough for MMW, whose About page states:

“Muslimah Media Watch is a forum where we, as Muslim women, can critique how our images appear in the media and popular culture. Although we are of different nationalities, sects, races, etc., we have something important in common: we’re tired of seeing ourselves portrayed by the media in ways that are one-dimensional and misleading. This is a space where, from a Muslim feminist perspective, we can speak up for ourselves.

“As Muslim feminists we aim to locate and critique misogyny, sexism, patriarchy, Islamophobia, racism, and xenophobia as they affect Muslim women. Furthermore, we believe in equal opportunities, equal respect, equal freedom, and equal value — regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, and ability.

“This blog is meant to be inclusive to all people, with a special focus on Muslim women. MMW strives to create an environment in which our writers and readers feel safe and welcome. We ask that you be considerate towards others and their opinions. This is a respectful forum for dialogue, not argument or personal attacks.”

Imagine that: articulate Muslim women, speaking for themselves. Seen that regularly — even lately — in a daily newspaper or local TV station near you?

MMW even offers a list of organizations designed to serve the needs of Muslim women. In contrast, our biased, confused, or lazy Western journalists seem to think that misguided, suffering, self-serving Ayaan Hirsi Ali somehow is supposed to help.

Back to Dowd:

Given this kind of illuminating er, journalism (note the reader comments), it’s no wonder so many Americans were so clueless about Islam and Muslims that we could be frightened into invading a sovereign nation for its oil, and killing untold numbers of innocent people in the name of freeing them — while sacrificing our patriotic servicemen and women, and ruining our economy in the process. And Dowd happened to be a critic of the invasion and of then-President Bush.

Alas, such is today’s wisdom from the s0-called liberal media. With friends like that, who needs Faux.

Professional awards and other recognitions always are special. Although not the biggest, this Excellence in Journalism Award from the Florida Press Club is especially so. Not only for having been bestowed by my journalism peers, and in a time of unprecedented change in our profession. But also for coming in a new venue, The Coastal Star newspaper, as well as in a new arena of writing: on matters of faith, and, because I didn’t know my work had been entered.

My editor, Mary Kate Leming did that. Here’s an excerpt from her email citing the results:

“AND: The Coastal Star won five awards in the latest Florida Press Club contest:

“Info-Graphic Presentation – Bonnie Lallky-Seibert  - 1st Place – Class C & D

“Artist Illustration – Bonnie Lallky-Seibert – 1st Place – Class D

“Photo Illustration – Tim Stepien – 2nd place – Class C & D

“Feature Photo Essay – Staff – 1st place – Class D

“Religion Writing – C.B. Hanif – 3rd place – Class C & D

“And yes, Jerry (Lower, the paper’s publisher) also won a 2nd for Front Page Design for Florida Fishing Weekly….

“Thanks to all of you for your contributions to The Coastal Star. We couldn’t do it without such an experienced, professional team. Thank you. Mary Kate.”

It’ll be interesting to see which entry(ies) of mine the judges appreciated. I’m guessing the “Obama in Cairo” essay, whose lead played on my column (and blog) subtitle, “Uniting people of faith (or no particular faith) in the 21st century.”

The five awards in the newspaper’s first year illustrate again why I’ve lauded The Coastal Star.

But let me again thank our Maker, for my colleagues who produce the paper, for the Press Club recognition, and for you, my readers, supporters and advocates in whatever venue.

The editor of The Coastal Star, Mary Kate Leming, and Jerry Lower, her husband and The Coastal Star publisher, hosting area journalists in August 2008 in Briny Breezes.

For those who may have missed it, in a different context over at InterFaith21.com I introduced The Coastal Star newspaper and the Palm Beach Arts Paper.

In print and online, both publications are packed with contributions by freelance colleagues such as yours truly who recently were with The Palm Beach Post or other area publications.

The classy Star’s niche is coastal towns south of Palm Beach. Publisher Jerry Lower was director of photography for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Editor Mary Kate Leming, his wife, was media editor for The Post. Folks tell me they love the Star’s smart, locally focused content and exquisite color photography on its high-quality paper. My InterFaith21 column is a regular feature. I also contribute some political writing.

Similarly, an insert in the Star through special arrangement is the Palm Beach Arts Paper — “Your Seasonal Guide to South Florida Culture.” Again, the writers and artists featured are my former colleagues: Sharon McDaniel, Greg Stepanich, Scott Simmons, Hap Erstein, Katie Deits, Pat Crowley and others.

Both publications are a great service for our former readers who constantly are telling us “I miss your” columns, articles, photos, artwork, etc. Whether in print or online, the papers not only are great reads — which is the feedback I hear. They’re also great media stories in themselves. Particularly regarding the future of our newspapers.

Recalling one of my lines from an Internet minute ago — “In this murky dawn of the digital age, as media-kind continue to stumble in search of ways to serve well and prosper” — I’m happy that my colleagues at The Coastal Star and Palm Beach Arts Paper still are part of the answer.