Don't cancel!
The editorial board is planning to publish its presidential endorsement on Sunday. As newspapers across the country have staked out their positions, some subscribers have staked out theirs.
For instance, Editor & Publisher (registration required) keeps a daily tally of newspaper endorsements. (Kerry is leading with more papers and more circulation.
And here is the first paragraph of a story in the San Antonio Express-News (registration required): "In Austin, more than 300 protesters gathered near the newspaper's building. In Philadelphia, about 800 people canceled their newspaper subscriptions. In President Bush's adopted hometown of Crawford, almost half of the newspaper's 920 subscribers cut ties." The Austin American-Statesman endorsed Bush, The Philadelphia Inquirer endorsed Kerry, and you can guess who the Lone Star Iconoclast endorsed.
I'll point out once more that I'm not a member of the editorial board and did not participate in endorsement discussions. I certainly hope that the paper has enough value to you beyond its editorial endorsement that you won't cancel. Personally, I'd subscribe just to get Ed Cone's column.
Comments (17)
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Not the Editorial board, but sounds like you have some influence from the email above.
Posted on October 30, 2004 10:42 PM
"I certainly hope that the paper has enough value to you beyond its editorial endorsement that you won't cancel"
That's a joke!
Posted on October 30, 2004 10:45 PM
John,
To quote your comment in another discussion:
"The editorial pages are where the newspaper displays its opinions, and they are expected to be consistent and loud and clear."
So, the ed-board speaks for the paper. Therefore the paper has a liberal bias. This isn't even arguable after your endorsements for the past 20 years. It's not even close. Despite the fact that North Carolina is much more a two-party state than it was 20 years ago. Does the newspaper simply refuse to hire local right-leaning thinkers for the editorial page?
One token conservative really isn't enough. To be fair and balanced the paper should have an equal number of right/left members.
There is no way that you can convince people that the whole paper does not have bias creep into the news section when there is obviously such a liberal slant in hiring. Bias in the news is very rarely blatant. It is usually in the form of the timing and placement of stories. We have discussed this before. For example, printing bad economic news on the front page when it hurts the president, and burying good news in the back of the paper when it helps. Sitting on a factually true story until it can have the most impact on a Republican like CBS news planned to do is another example. Not printing stories, or minimizing stories negative to Democrats is another example. Putting an unpaid campaign photo of Kay Hagan on the home page your internet site for a story about Dell that only mentions her once is another example. Wouldn't a photo of Michael Dell or even a picture of Senator Hagan doing something related to the story instead of her smiling campaign photo have been a better choice?
Perhaps your marketing department should do a new demographic study. With all the "new media" out there, the "old media" cannot afford to maintain a bias for long without going out of business. People will simply switch to the new media where they are more confident they can get it straight. Why is FOX News so popular? Because people feel they are getting both sides. Despite all the hype about FOX being right leaning, a recent Stanford University study (a left wing school) found that FOX was indeed the most balanced of all networks. Perhaps those of you in the print media should take notice.
Newspaper readership is way down all across the country, and I would submit it is not only due to the internet itself, but also because people believe they are getting more fair news elsewhere.
John, I get your paper for the Sunday ads, the Life section, and yes, the news. I will continue to get the paper. But you guys should really stop kidding yourselves. We aren't that stupid out here. It must be getting to you, because I can't recall the N&R ever pleading for people to not cancel on the basis of the ed-board endorsements.
Samuel S. Spagnola
Posted on October 31, 2004 12:51 AM
I think it's time for another paper to come into town. I also think it would be ironic if that conglomerate used Amendment One money to build an office.
I have been in contact with the Charlotte Observer. They are looking into the possibilities of moving into the Triad. I know they are slanted left, but not nearly as much as the N&R.
We love you John! Keep up the good work!
Posted on October 31, 2004 5:27 AM
Really, I'm not trying to convince you of anything. You've convinced yourself that we're biased, and I'm appreciate that you have that opinion. I don't share it, but, in America, that's acceptable.
We don't ask you to love us, just to read us. And I appreciate your continued readership.
Posted on October 31, 2004 8:07 AM
You need to do more than appreciate it. You need to fix it. Bias is not an opinion. It's a fact.
Maybe we can have a poll of the people in Guilford County. See what they think.
Posted on October 31, 2004 8:14 AM
Do any of you think that it's ok to assume that everyone in District 59 knows that BJ Barnes endourses Republicans?
Read from Bottom to top. You'll see that John Robinson holds good jounalism hostage for Advertising Ransom!
-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Council [mailto:mcouncil1@triad.rr.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2004 9:19 PM
To: scottkeith@clearchannel.com; info@1340thelight.com; billdotson@clearchannel.com; dblount@wfmy.gannett.com; news@wghp.com; johnhammer@rhinotimes.com; newstips@wxii12.com; jnagy@news-record.com; mwilliams@news-record.com; rmurray@wghp.com; franklid@wfu.edu
Subject: Read from Bottom to Top!
-----Original Message-----
From: JRobinson@News-Record.com [mailto:JRobinson@News-Record.com]
Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2004 6:08 PM
To: mcouncil1@triad.rr.com
Subject: RE: Blog feedback
I don't. It's hardly shocking that the Sheriff would back a Republican. But feel free to buy an ad.
-----Original Message-----
From: Matthew Council
To: John Robinson
Sent: 10/30/2004 2:23 PM
Subject: Blog feedback
Importance: High
HEY JOHN! Why don't you print it that BJ Barnes backed Jim Rumley for
NC House District 59? It is important for the
people of District 59 to know that their Sherrif supports a candidate. Don't you agree?
Matt Council
Posted on October 31, 2004 8:26 AM
Don't delete the above post either. That is censorship. Oh. Maybe you agree with that.
Posted on October 31, 2004 8:28 AM
I WANT AN APOLOGY FROM YOU FOR ALLOWING BIAS AND FOR POSTING THE LETTER FROM MARCUS KINDLEY!
IT WAS IN VERY POOR TASTE!
Posted on October 31, 2004 8:41 AM
This is, truly, the comedy zone. Well no surprise here. Kerry captures the News & Record editorial endorsement. In the same edition ( Sunday 10/31) right smack front and center on B1 is a so- called "news" story by Ellica Church highlighting a hate Bush rally by pitiful handfull (reporters estimate 150 )of leftist clowns complete with a 6" x 7" color photo. On the inside with the remainder of the story ( 650 words ) was another photo of some dumbass carrying a sandwich board with a crude and loathing message directed at Bush supporters and readers in general. Why such a poor excuse for the theatre of the absurd would even gain a mention, much less front page prominence is puzzling. What's your spin on this Mr. Robibson ? You always have a nonchalant one no matter how outrageous the bias. The News & Record seems to have taken an extrordinary interest in this socialist, excuse me, progressive organization ( "Get Loud ") It was the subject of a sympathetic story in the most recent issue of GO TRIAD. No, the News & Record is not a liberal paper. Neither is the New York Times.
Posted on November 1, 2004 12:33 AM
Comedy Zone? I can go with that. Do you think John is laughing all the way to the bank (DNC)?
Posted on November 1, 2004 5:22 AM
It's funny that the letter was posted the day after we called a press conference to talk about the N&R bias.
It's funny that John Robinson was arguing with Marcus kindley on the phone the day before.
It's funny that people like John Robinson can use their position to push personal agendas.
Posted on November 1, 2004 5:29 AM
Well, let's see. First, I've not spoken to Marcus Kindley in months so who knows what Mr. Council is talking about.
Second, 150 people marching downtown seems like it's worth mention. We'd have given it the same treatment were it a parade in favor of the president. I've had enough conversations with you, Fred, to know that you won't believe that, but that's the way it is.
Third, all that other commentary by Mr. Rumley's campaign advisor is self-explanatory and hardly worth a response.
Posted on November 1, 2004 8:23 AM
Now you have insulted yet another public official. Do you realize what kind of hole you are digging?
I am a volunteer for Rumley. Not an advisor. But thanks for the promotion!
Maybe you should promote Allen Johnson for pushing your agenda so well!
Posted on November 1, 2004 8:42 AM
I was marching in the anti-Bush parade. And I'm as far from a leftists/socialist as you can find.
But I have one thing in common with those leftist Kerry supporters: I do not like the way George Bush has taken this country.
If you'll notice in the story, they mentioned that Libertarians were marching along with Democrats. I wish the journalist would have made reference to one of our signs (End the War-Vote Libertarian; Kerry=War, Bush=War, Vote Badnarik for Peace), but all in all I think it was an ok story. The mention of we Libertarians made sure the parade was not presented like an all out Kerry fest, which it was not.
Posted on November 1, 2004 8:49 AM
Yes John, worth a mention maybe, in agat type near the obit page,
Posted on November 1, 2004 9:12 AM
No. It wasnt. Your right. But only 20% of readers, read more than the Headlines.
"Loud and clear: Boot Bush" was the headline. But I understand what you are saying Rusty.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Posted on November 1, 2004 9:14 AM