Criticism — as harsh as it may come — is a First Amendment right to free speech I staunchly defend, although I may not agree with what is being said.

I have accepted, without public comment, my share of negative feedback throughout my 35 plus years in journalism, but a July 6 opinion piece written by David Hanners begs to be answered.

Hanners and his former employer, The Dallas Morning News, should be commended for their role in revealing conduct that led to the wrongful conviction of Kerry Max Cook in 1978.

Serving as a public watchdog over government and giving a voice to the voiceless are part of the four principles of journalism outlined by the Society of Professional Journalists.

But their investigation didn’t stop there. Somewhere along the way, their coverage of this historic case crossed a line from reporting to advocacy without fully informing their readers.

Now, I’m being criticized (along with my former employer, the Tyler Morning Telegraph) for not taking that same path despite the tenets of our profession’s code of ethics.

The Tyler Morning Telegraph has always remained true to its mission to report accurately and fairly cover the developments in Cook’s case.

To be clear, I wasn’t even in high school when Linda Jo Edwards was murdered, and I was just beginning my career in 1988 when Hanners said he first became convinced of Cook’s innocence.

I began reporting on the case in 1991 when Cook first won a new trial. Since then, I too have written more than 40 articles on the subject, and now a book. That coverage includes two trials, another successful appeal, his release from jail, his plea agreement, filed lawsuits and his journey to final exoneration.

My articles included interviews with Cook and his defense team, prosecutors, witnesses, and relatives of the victim, and even jurors. I reported the facts as accurately, fairly and thoroughly as possible, with or without choosing sides or advocating for or against Cook’s exoneration.

Seeking truth and reporting it, are critical to maintaining a journalist’s professional integrity. I’ve had the courage to protect that integrity many times — sometimes to my own detriment.

Analysis of the evidence in Cook’s case is not relevant in a broader discussion of the role and responsibilities of journalism. The Court of Criminal Appeals has the final word, and it exonerated Cook.

It may be true that “history is written by the victors” (a quote often attributed to Winston Churchill) but in Cook’s case, I believe it’s only fair that history includes a full account of events.

I’ve stayed with this case long enough to see the lies revealed on both sides, and how the consequences of those lies prevented justice for all.