Media Bias

     Media bias is nothing new. You find it in all the usual places -- television, radio, newspapers, magazines. The consumer can switch TV channels, or radio stations, or newspapers, except where there is a virtual monopoly local news/editorial source such as CS.
     The wall between news and editorials is not where objectivity usually breaks down. You may have a near-perfect wall and still have media bias. It is found in the editorials, and it is often allowed as editor's choice. An editor can support a political candidate with or without an official endorsement. That sort of newspapering is called publisher's privilege.
     Does the editor of a small local newspaper have a larger responsibility to the community? Depends on who you ask, and often it depends on the politics of those you ask. Some local editors may use their unique position to "steer" the news or editorials by omission or commission, mimicking the conduct of politicians.
     A more subtle way to promote media bias is by greatly increasing font size of a caption on a political endorsement article, drawing readers' attention to the article. The editor thereby provides a free political ad for the endorsement. See CS page three SONG endorsement, September 10, 2011.
     When confronted with a charge of media bias, editors may admit or deny it. It is those who deny it that draw my instant criticism.
     Readers often see a blur between facts and editorials. That is why editorials appear on the "opinion page." It's easy to mislead by omitting some relevant facts. I know a nice old lady who recently told me that Cortland's mayor is "confused and indecisive." I asked her how she got that impression. "From our newspaper," she replied.
     If I were to argue that CS made that observation in an editorial, with insufficient evidence to support it, or with wilful disregard of relevant facts, my argument would be met with denial or derision by CS staff and the nice old lady who believed what she read.
     If I argued, that mayor Feiszli improved city government when she dismissed a Finance Administrator and a Corporation Counsel for non-performance, would it change any minds? Ask the mayor for her explanation. You read CS and got its opinion. You owe it to yourself to get the rest of the story.
     "A rumor will travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." Mark Twain.