A few days ago I posted an item about The Bee's recommendations in local Assembly races, and some commenters raised the general issue of newspaper election endorsements. Here's the short answer, from our perspective:
The Bee publishes recommendations because we think we have something to offer. We meet with many of the candidates, especially the local ones, and we also meet with groups on both sides of state and local ballot measures. That's something many voters can't do.
Our discussions are sometimes short, if everybody agrees on the issue. But we're not always unanimous, and then the discussions can get long and arduous. Newspaper staffs -- and editorial boards -- are not monolithic, lock-step groups, as many critics assert.
For example, check out these two posts from from The Sacramento Bee's Shane Goldmacher. The first asks whether newspaper editorial recommendations matter; the second lists the recommendations on this year's state ballot propostions made by the largest 10 newpapers in California, which includes The Bee. There are some cases of unanimity; in other cases there is disagreement -- just as in any group.
We're under no illusions about the effectiveness of these recommendations. Sometimes voters agree with us, sometimes not. I used to have a reader who called every year before the elections, asking when we were going to start running our recommendations box, the listing of all the picks we've made. He wanted to cut it out and take it with him into the polling booth, so he could be sure to vote against The Bee in every case.
Fine. I regard that as a community service, part of a newspaper's job -- so long as he bought the paper he cut the box out of, of course.
Many readers question whether newspapers should make recommendations at all. I think they should, and not entirely because I get paid, in part, for participating in that task. Some complain that the lines between news and opinion get blurred, and that's a real concern. But I think newspaper readers, including ours, are smart enough to figure out the difference between a news story and an opinion piece. They know what it means when they see that great big black word "Opinion" at the top of the editorial page.
And I've always thought it curious that very few people complain when other institutions -- chambers of commerce, unions, business councils, the League of Women Voters, all sorts of groups -- make their own recommendations in elections, but they'll object when the newspaper does so.
Is it arrogant of us to make recommendations? Perhaps, but no more arrogant than anyone else expressing an opinon.
This is by far the longest blog I've ever done, and it's time to stop. I hope you'll offer your comments, and I'll reply as best I can.
I always take the Bee's recommendations into consideration, although I don't always agree with them. (I won't vote for a Congressman or Assembly member I disagree with simply because his/her opponent lacks a well-funded campaign, for one thing.)
As for why you do it, I've always thought that was just part of a newspaper's job.
Yes it was a long post. Usually you are a little more Hemminwayish, terse. I see no reason why a newspaper should refrain from making recommandations.
But my idea was that it had a lot to do with advertising dollars. I know that the Fresno Bee and the Sacramento Bee see not always eye to eye.
Blessedly there is no Bakersfield Bee (I am smilimg)
Wow. First time I've ever been compared to Hemingway. Although I do have a beard. Thanks, Isabell.
And there may be no "Bakersfield Bee," but don't forget our little brother in Modesto. We don't always agree with them either.
Don't feel bad, Russ. If I was ever compared to Hemingway, the sentence would probably start out with "unlike Hemingway..."
Taking time out during a commercial during my annual viewing of Charles Shulz "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" to add this...Didn't Hemingway move to Idaho where he committed suicide?
I met a retired friend today at a local social gathering and he said that he reads what recomendations the Fresno Bee makes and he simply votes the opposite.
It was partially meant it in gest I hope otherwise he is an ignorant person when it comes to making an informed vote.
Another said he simply will not vote for any bond measure more specifically the highspeed rail bond. He said that even if it does become a reality it will be another 15 years. He is entitled to his vote and reasoning bu does he care about his children or does he expect not to live past 15 years?
The level of self-centered selfishness, and ignorance runs rampant. Unfortunatly many depend on TV comercials and misinformation that leads to a vote that may otherwise go the other way.
Oh well, this is the society we live best I could suggest is not to depend on these ugly TV commericals.
Oh yea, and vote NO on prop. 8!
Well I think it's a little unfortunate that you had to explain yourself in the first place. I thought all of that was pretty obvious.
By the way, I'm going to take the Bee's advice for president and vote for Obama. And I'll have another glass of Kool-Aid please.
I was one that raised an eyebrow at a newspaper giving recommendations. When this blog came out I decided to keep an open mind and researched what the definition of journalism was. I couldn’t nail one definition down because the definition has changed through history. Journalism historians generally place the birth of modern American journalism and the rise of “objectivity” with the rise of American democracy. What came before was government, partisan or religiously censored propaganda. The “new journalism” emerging in the 1830s-1850s demanded the news have accuracy, objectivity, have the public interest at heart and should not promote publicity or cheap popularity nor be an invasion of privacy. I think the majority of Americans were raised with this definition of journalism; I was. Walter Cronkite wrote, “If people knew how I felt on an issue, I had failed in my mission.” Sam Donalson said,”Well, people on the right say we’re too liberal and people of the left say we’re in league with the status quo, which probably means we’re right where we should be, right in the middle.” Textbooks teach journalists should be detached and nonpartisan. David Mindich wrote a book called “Just the Facts” which did a great job explaining the changes in journalism in comparison to social change. It was very interesting. Mindich said, “Nonpartisanship serves an important function in democracies… at its best it can allow for a national dialogue between politicians and the public unpolluted by partisan interpretation.” That is how I would like to see journalism. Some newspapers are close to that goal, some are not; however, the point being journalism has never been defined as "not taking a stand" or not making a recommendation on a political vote so you are right in that it is not wrong to make editorial recommendations. I do hope however, that the Bee will try to do so in a “nonpartisan”, “objective” way with the “public interest in mind.” Thanks for the mental challenge. I enjoyed it.
I've never been compared to Hemmingway. My husband says I'm more like Dean Koontz because what I say is scary!!!!! HA!!
I must agree with Mike D. at the head of the column about voting for candidates who aren't well funded.
Also, I consider it to be the newspaper's responsibility to not just endorse a candidate, or a ballot measure, but to take it a step further and explain the reasoning behind this decision.
As far as opinions and the fact that everyone has one, I know from first hand experience how it feels to be attacked verbally and in print for materials I've posted.
Just recently, I was told by Rep. Devin Nunes that if I didn't like the way things are going, I was welcome to move to North Korea.
If you don't believe me, go to my blog and read it for yourself (http://blog.bryangalt.us). I sent a copy to the Bee, Channel 24, 30 and 47 and none of these news outlets felt that our Representative telling a constituent to pack up if he doesn't agree with everything the government is doing was a bad thing.
I suppose if I sent them a statement from my cousin who went to high school with Sarah Palin in Alaska giving out the details of her early wild life I would have gotten some traction (true story by the way).
Reporters are journalists who are said to be guided by the traditional Ws like who; where; when; why. But not all journalists are reporters. Commentators put their own slant on things. They make commentary.
As for the propriety of making election recommendation? It's fine. The readers are free to follow the recommendations or ignore them. I am one of those who take all components, sort them, weigh them, and choose the one closest to my own; regardless of source or origin.
Has anyone else noticed that almost all news articles generate from Bee News Service,Associated Press,New York Times,Los Angeles Times, and McClatchey News Services.Left leaning with not much diversity there so it is hard to accept that the Fresno Bee Editorial staff is some group of independent thinkers.Furthermore the paper decides what the news is...not the readers.No surprise there either.This explains the soft touch Obama has received and why they have not explored the Democrat Party's involvement in the financial crisis in the paper or website.Again,they'll tell us what is news.None of this should come as a surprise to conservative readers and liberal readers will be buoyed in their ignorance because that's how the Bee and the left want them.When we were taught about and read the newspapers in school we were taught about how to get the information, how to understand slant and what propoganda was...Damn,that turned out to be useful.
Brian, the problem is that you're leaning so far to the right that you probably think the General Grant Tree is skewed to the left.
Just passing through and noticed these gems...
"if I didn't like the way things are going, I was welcome to move to North Korea."
That is hilarious. Mr. Gait you are going to love it there. Lots of potential.
and finally..."This is by far the longest blog I've ever done," (without mentioning trains.)
Is that what it is? Because I was thinking the tree leaned right.
Just as long as Bart doesn't chop down the tree and burn it in his fireplace.
I was hoping you could expand a little on how the Bee's editorial board reflects or doesn't reflect the community at large in terms of demographics. Does the number of minorities, women, young people, etc. mirror Fresno's demographics? Do you feel this sort of consideration is important in the jobs you folks do?