Letter from the editor: No, we are not biased
Dear Readers:
In recent weeks we have received a couple of notes from local readers alleging that our newspaper is “biased” toward Republicans.
The first writer took exception to our Sept. 13 “Street Beat” poll that asked participants whether they had decided on their candidate for president. Three of the five answers were in support of Mitt Romney. Another person said he had not made up his mind. The fifth respondent did not indicate a preference.
A few days later a second reader wrote to point out two headlines in our paper which, in his view, showed bias toward Republicans. The first headline was attached to a letter to the editor; the second, to a column by political writer Dick Lyles.
“I pick up my granddaughter at (a local school) where the moms and grandmas pick up their kids,” this writer said. “Even the Republicans in the crowd agree that there is a bias in your paper.”
I strongly disagree. Please let me explain.
“Street Beat” participants are selected at random. Each week one of our writers goes to a public place (shopping center, park or public event) and attempts to gain the cooperation of five people who a) are willing to express an opinion b) are willing to have their name used and c) are willing to be photographed. We try to vary the type of questions asked. Sometimes they are political, sometimes sports related, sometimes lifestyle related.
You might be surprised how difficult is it to find willing participants. It’s not uncommon for the writer to have to ask 15 or 20 people before the required five are interviewed and photographed. Writers doing Street Beat learn to deal with rejection and, sometimes, rude comments about the media.
No attempt is made to balance out the Street Beat answers. They are simply the responses of the first five people willing to be quoted and photographed.
A letter to the editor contains the views of the writer. My job as the editor is to make sure the letters fit within the 250-word limit and do not get us into legal trouble. I write a headline on each letter to summarize the point(s) being made by the writer.
We have a long history here of running nearly every letter submitted in a timely manner. We run letters from Republicans, Democrats, independents, Libertarians, tea party and Green Party members. Again, the views expressed are those of the writers.
Regarding our political columnists, we have several who approach topics from differing perspectives. Dick Lyles tends to be conservative while Amy Roost (the former Amy Sandberg) is usually more liberal. Bob Emery usually sticks to local topics but has been known to stray into political topics. Many readers are under the false assumption he is a Democrat. Allen Hemphill tends to be more independent with a bit of Libertarianism mixed in.
Moving on to political cartoons … each week I select one cartoon from about a half-dozen offered through the King Features Syndicate. I love a well-drawn cartoon and make my selection based not on what partisan view it may express, but the effectiveness of the message being conveyed. Democrats and Republicans sometimes drop me mean-spirited notes when the week’s cartoon makes their candidate look bad.
The only part of the newspaper where the opinion of the ownership is expressed is in the clearly marked “editorial.” Topics covered here are usually local and non-partisan in nature.
I suppose, to eliminate the false perception of bias, we could stop running letters, columns and cartoons on state, national and world issues. Some weekly newspapers, including several within our own company, prohibit publication of such items, feeling that “local weeklies” should focus only on local issues. These same newspaper also prohibit letters to the editor about the merits of local candidates seeking office.
At this point, I’m torn about whether to line up with these other weekly papers. I would appreciate hearing from you on the matter. Email me at editor@pomeradonews.com.
Steve Dreyer, Editor
Related posts:
Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=28986
Posted by Steve Dreyer
on Sep 26 2012. Filed under Editorial, Opinion.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
The only topic I find the Chieftain to be biased on is being on the side of PUSD with the $1 Billion loan.
Steve you have a thankless job – but you do a great job of managing the mix of personalities and opinions. I frequently get mad at you and some of the comments posted. But in a free society where discussion is to be encouraged and not suppressed I appreciate this local paper for it's healthy, passionate discussion.
Steve, I think your readership would go down if you edited out letters, and opinions on state and national issues. The Cheiftin is currently the only paper I read. I don't think I'm alone. I'm always astonished how many people I run into that don't have a clue what's going on beyond their TV set.
Stevee, is this printing every letter a more recent policy? I submitted many letters that never made it into the paper years ago and even got a response from you claiming that my letter was a personal attack and that your paper did not print letters that contained personal attacks. My letter was a criticism of the City's plan to put vending machines in the parks selling soft drinks and I named the staff person who proposed this plan, which became a reality.
I have had almost every online comment printed I think there was a technical glitch once or twice. But if you are printing every comment, why moderate them ? Why not let them appear as soon as they are submitted?
Steve, you know and I know you censure comments when postings are made. You know and I know your stated neutrality is disingenuous at best.
As for Bob Emery, I have no idea how he is registered, but I do know he endorses liberal Democrats and makes demeaning comments about conservative Republicans. He uses the Chieftain to promote his cause. Just look at his past columns published near election time.
It will be interesting to see who he endorses for City Council and the PUSD.