Frustration

Posted on February 4, 2008 by John

It’s frustrating sometimes to be a journalist. I have always tried not to wear my political heart on my sleeve because it would compromise things that I cover. And yet this time, as a voter, I really wish I could talk about for whom I am voting, and why. I can’t, but I wish I could.

(Actually, I should say for whom I have already voted. I’m at the courthouse so often that it only makes sense for me to early vote.)

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http://www.newscoma.wordpress.com newscoma

We talked to our publishers about it and as long as it doesn’t impact our work, our private lives and political work is allowed.
One of the people who works at one of the other papers is in office as a school board member is a registered Republican. One of my staff is campaigning for a candidate.
Recently I was asked to run for office and I declined due to my job. I was also asked to work on a candidate’s website. I also declined.
But I think the times are changing a bit.
I understand, as well as the staffs at the three newspapers, that we have to adhere to our publishers wishes. We also don’t endorse as a paper even in our editorials.
Nothing other than just sharing here my experience. There are things I’m told to not put on my blog and I follow those to a tee. We were allowed to have personal political stuff there though which I think is good as it is transparent.
http://www.newscoma.wordpress.com newscoma

We talked to our publishers about it and as long as it doesn’t impact our work, our private lives and political work is allowed.
One of the people who works at one of the other papers is in office as a school board member is a registered Republican. One of my staff is campaigning for a candidate.
Recently I was asked to run for office and I declined due to my job. I was also asked to work on a candidate’s website. I also declined.
But I think the times are changing a bit.
I understand, as well as the staffs at the three newspapers, that we have to adhere to our publishers wishes. We also don’t endorse as a paper even in our editorials.
Nothing other than just sharing here my experience. There are things I’m told to not put on my blog and I follow those to a tee. We were allowed to have personal political stuff there though which I think is good as it is transparent.
http://lakeneuron.com John

I’m not saying that no one could ever figure out where I stand on a political issue, and I understand what you’re saying about transparency. But since I do sometimes cover politics (at a small-town paper, you cover a little bit of everything), I think coming out and supporting candidate “A” just sends the wrong message, and gives people an excuse to complain. People on either end of the political spectrum already try to accuse all journalists of being biased, and many of them are more than willing to lump the Times-Gazette in with out-of-town media outlets that have offended them. I feel like, if I were to come out and say for whom I was voting, it would give the nay-sayers further ammunition. I try very hard to be unbiased in the way I do my job, and as far as I know I’m on good terms with the local leadership of both political parties.
http://lakeneuron.com John

I’m not saying that no one could ever figure out where I stand on a political issue, and I understand what you’re saying about transparency. But since I do sometimes cover politics (at a small-town paper, you cover a little bit of everything), I think coming out and supporting candidate “A” just sends the wrong message, and gives people an excuse to complain. People on either end of the political spectrum already try to accuse all journalists of being biased, and many of them are more than willing to lump the Times-Gazette in with out-of-town media outlets that have offended them. I feel like, if I were to come out and say for whom I was voting, it would give the nay-sayers further ammunition. I try very hard to be unbiased in the way I do my job, and as far as I know I’m on good terms with the local leadership of both political parties.
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http://www.newscoma.wordpress.com newscoma

Oh, I wasn’t disagreeing with you at all. Most people in town where I’m at know where I stand on things.
I think this is a good conversation. I know you’re unbiased. It is a balance. When I started this thing, I was anonymous and now not so much.
I was just sharing (sorry I didn’t get back here earlier. Been running crazy.)
You know, those naysayers always have something to say be it politics, cheerleader coverage etc.
With that said, the positive thing about people being so involved is that they are involved. Local newspapers have such a sense of ownership from the community and I think that’s why we probably are scrutinized so carefully.
I make it a practice though to eat lunch with the local parties (both of them) and to not back away when they ask a question about my politics but that’s just what’s comfortable to me. Also, my publishers are also active politically on the other side of the aisle from me, so hopefully it gives it all balance.
It’s funny, I did an inch count recently of our editorial page and it actually has more conservative coverage (because that’s the community’s frith if you will) than liberal.
That comes from Letters to editor, submitted editorial columns etc…
Rural media is an odd thing, isn’t it?
Cheers, my friend.
http://www.newscoma.wordpress.com newscoma

Oh, I wasn’t disagreeing with you at all. Most people in town where I’m at know where I stand on things.
I think this is a good conversation. I know you’re unbiased. It is a balance. When I started this thing, I was anonymous and now not so much.
I was just sharing (sorry I didn’t get back here earlier. Been running crazy.)
You know, those naysayers always have something to say be it politics, cheerleader coverage etc.
With that said, the positive thing about people being so involved is that they are involved. Local newspapers have such a sense of ownership from the community and I think that’s why we probably are scrutinized so carefully.
I make it a practice though to eat lunch with the local parties (both of them) and to not back away when they ask a question about my politics but that’s just what’s comfortable to me. Also, my publishers are also active politically on the other side of the aisle from me, so hopefully it gives it all balance.
It’s funny, I did an inch count recently of our editorial page and it actually has more conservative coverage (because that’s the community’s frith if you will) than liberal.
That comes from Letters to editor, submitted editorial columns etc…
Rural media is an odd thing, isn’t it?
Cheers, my friend.