In the bias of the beholder
So last week we asked our Reader Panel this question: Do you think the News & Record covers politics in a fair manner?
You'll enjoy the results: Of the 128 people who responded, 82 answered yes, 28 said no and 18 qualified their answers in a variety of ways.
Now, if that doesn't make you want to join the Reader Panel, I don't know what will. Sign up and have your say about our news coverage. It will help us improve.
Those results are true, by the way. But as I said before, the sample is too small to draw many conclusions from. Still.
Some of the comments, presented in a fair and balanced way:
I think the paper tries to be objective and doesn't have a pronounced bias either liberal or conservative. I only wish the letter writers could be as calm and intelligent. The paper does a very good job, good paper for this size market.
..........
Tends to empahsize stories with a liberal agenda without examining both sides of an issue. Not quite as bad as the NY Times, but far from "balanced reporting."
..........
No! I have never thought the paper was objective. The editorials are fairly balanced between left and right but the local opinions are not. I must admit that most newspapers have a left lean which is sad and not objective reporting. Sorry!
..........
I do. All of us have inherent biases that are difficult to overcome. But on balance, the N&R seeks to be fair.
..........
Absolutely not. The bias toward the Democrat Party (it is Democrat not Democratic as the article states) is blatantly obvious. Get a few conservatives to write for your paper and maybe more people will read it with more interest.
..........
Yes -- the GOP can't help that they are stupid people.
Comments (5)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
I've often wished I could get those who accuse me of being a liberal hack together with those who say I'm in the tank for the GOP and have them fight it out as to which it is.
Posted on April 25, 2008 12:30 PM
John
In all fairness to you, about the only things the News and Record isn't biased on are the Crossword Puzzles. The Greensboro Daily News was biased long before you became editor. The afternoon Record sorta leaned the other way. But with the merger came the total left slant.
Trying to explain this bias to you or Dan Rather is like trying to explain a sunset to Stevie Wonder. I gave up trying and just accepted there is no hope for you to ever think like me.
Anyway, thanks for letting me vent again.
Posted on April 25, 2008 2:48 PM
Dan Rather is biased? When did that happen?
I hope you have joined the reader panel, Wayne.
Posted on April 25, 2008 2:53 PM
Thanks for the invite, I can't type very well and I make a lot of grammatical errors. Just too old to start learning either.
I do enjoy taking pot shots, however
Posted on April 25, 2008 3:01 PM
Come on, Wayne. There isn't much typing required; most is clicking boxes. And you type and spell as well as 95% of the respondents. While we may not agree on some of the stuff I write here, I am still interested in what you might say about other stuff.
Posted on April 25, 2008 3:54 PM