Cuccinelli calls Roanoke Times ‘worst newpaper in Va.’
Uh, oh! Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has a short list of ‘worst’ Virginia newspapers. He said we’re worse than the Washington Post! This is from a recent Laura Ingraham show — and it almost sounds like a veiled campaign promise.
February 27, 2013 - 1:55 PM
Yay, the RTs wins as most biased-lib paper in the state! Hey you libs, can ya think of another paper in Virginia which is more-biased-lib than the RTs?
That is the best thing I’ve heard anyone say about the Roanoke Times in ages!
Let’s take this one as a win Dan, considering the source.
Wear it as a badge of honor. If the worst attorney general (and the most radical) in the modern history of the Commonwealth thinks you’re bad, then you must be the best.
He doesn’t get The Burgs, that’s why he thinks that.
Dan! Dan! You must be so proud!
If the shoe fits wear it.
Not having read most of the papers available in Virginia I cannot state that the Roanoke paper is the most radical but it most certainly is a far left leaning paper. But if that is what you want to be, and apparently it is, then this is
a compliment to you. You’ve succeeded.
Dan, you know he’s just reaching out to you. Pretty hilarious!
Hallelujah! is Cuccinelli the most sensible political leader in decades?
He is right on the money, the RT has been a rag for decades and now WDBJ is on its way!
He is a frontrunner for my vote. Keep up the good work Ken.
he’s correct..it is pretty lame with all the biased attitudes
My sentiment exactly Mr. Goodman!
He’s right. You are the worst and one of the most bias newspapers I’ve seen. I use your papers as a fire starter and that’s about it.
His words are so true. I was hoping this rag would go out of buisness soon
I agree, the Roanoke Times is the worst newspaper for our conservative think tank. On a positive note, it does give me some insight into the consciousness of a liberal, since I don’t know any of them personally.
Mr. Cuccinelli is a major embarrassment to Virginia. His stone age agenda is not what the majority of Virginian’s believe in.
Newspaper…..won’t hear that term much longer. Would have been better if he had referred to it as being on the short list of worst redesigned blog sites.
It is one of the worst newspapers in Va. – why? because it is so totally Left-Leaning.
CooCooNelli
Congratulations! This is confirmation you are doing something right.
Says the man afraid of a nipple.
Based on the Dan Casey blog alone…he’d be correct.
Like Wayne said, a badge of honor! The Roanoke Times should be proud!!
The truth was in the comment… it was in english… he was speaking of the bias. There is quite a bit of that, or don’t you agree.
Uh oh
Cuccinelli sure knows how to push Dan’s buttons. What do you expect him to say…..”Dan Casey and the Roanoke Times have taught me the truth and merit of liberalism and from now on I will promote higher taxes, gay marriage and government handouts.”
Well done, RT. I’m now stuck with the Richmond Times, man what a difference. I miss you guys.
@Henry…now that was funny!
I don’t think you would allow the name I have for him,in this column!
It appears the liberal rags blog leader is not getting the desired response by posting this article. Seems like more people are Cooch supporters than Casey’s zombies. Perhaps Dan would be a better fit in northern CA?
Wally W,
Thank you for reading and posting!
Ahhhh yes. The republican strategy of “kill the messenger”, another “vote getter”…
He was right,for once.
“Worst paper in Virginia”? I doubt that. Depends on what you’re measuring and how you evaluate it. The RoaTimes has a very liberal bias, which is out of step with the circulation territory. SW Virginia is pretty conservative, as shown by the latest election results. Is it bad that the local newspaper takes a liberal view while many readers are conservative? That explains many of the comments to today’s column. I disagree with (almost) all Dan’s columns. But I read them almost every day. It’s healthy to consider another viewpoint. Otherwise we would have the “echo chamber” effect. I’d like to see a “balanced” presentation of the news. Opinion(ated) columns can be considered separately. Today we have many sources of information availble to us. Fortunately we have the freedom to make up our own minds about the topics seen in this newspaper and other places.
You’re right Wally… Dan would be better off in northern California… you’d be better off in 1860.
This thread is so funny. Out of buisness indeed.
rt called me once wanted me to take the rt,my answer,I take trash out I don’t bring it in.
All the haters sure do come worship at the altar of Casey on a daily if not regular basis. Hypocrites.
Cuccinelli gives Italian-Americans everywhere a bad name. He’s dangerous and we need to pay close attention to what he says and does. I am proud that I am a long time daily subscriber to the RT but I consider it a middle of the road paper. Try Utne Reader if you really want to read the best of the left-wing, alternative press!!
WOW! I may have said the RT is slanted, and biased and part of the Obama-Democrat Pravda media — but I never said you were the worst paper in VA! After this AG proclamation, perhaps I can once again be considered a “reasonable” critic and not another really bad character!
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/
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When I lived in Richmond for several years, the right-leaning Richmond Times Dispatch would send me screaming into the night…or morning cause they published a morning and afternoon edition.
Wow, the guy is complaining about three, count ‘em, three liberal newspapers in the state of Va. I went to a site which listed 22 dailies and a slew of weeklies and “others” and he’s whining about three. Next he’ll complain about the Democrats for nominating and candidate to run against him.
wally, wrong. 17 – RT, 11 – Cooch and a few in between. Y’all lose, yet again.
THAT IS GREAT NEWS
Certainly the most liberal I have come across. It’s a shame, and I cancelled my subscription some time ago. However, I do read Andy Bitter and Mark Taylor’s blogs…great down home stuff. No agenda pushing b.s., just interesting journalism (apolitical).
By the way, me and those of you commenting/complaining, put another bill in the tip jar for Dan. Our comments drive the column and thus, enable Dan to keep this thing going.
Roanoke Times is best used in the cat box!
We thank you for reading our blogs, Don.
Ka-ching!
LB Hagen | February 27, 2013 at 6:03 pm
WOW! I may have said the RT is slanted, and biased and part of the Obama-Democrat Pravda media — but I never said you were the worst paper in VA! After this AG proclamation, perhaps I can once again be considered a “reasonable” critic and not another really bad character!
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http://roanokeslant.blogspot.com/
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Nah! You’re still a really bad character!
Cuccinelli hit the nail on the head. The Roanoke Times has quickly become a paper that I despise to read. I was once a former 365 days subscriber, but now I just get the Sunday edition so the wife can collect the coupons. It is quite disgusting how biased this media outlet has become.
Jeffrey, thank you for patronizing roanoke.com
The truly hilarious part of all this is all the commenters who only use the RT to start fires, wrap fish, or all the other derogatory uses they have for it. And yet here they are, punishing themselves by reading it, hanging on its every word, and posting on one or more of its blogs.! I think the word for that is sadism! Or insanity.
Don | February 27, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Certainly the most liberal I have come across
Don’t get out much do ya Don?
Congratulations! He doesn’t believe much in rational truth, so I would take Cuccinelli’s comments as a huge compliment. He is such a embarrassment to our Commonwealth. I cannot imagine what political advisor has made him think he can win the governor’s seat.
To disagree with my name sake above, Dan Casey’s blog is well-written and certainly provocative. He is better on local issues, however, and becomes a somewhat tedious propagandist when discussing gun issues.
The RT is the best Carilion-owned paper in the state. Not to mention the other “powerful, monied interests” that the RT won’t touch with a 10 foot pole, no matter how sleazy they behave.
And his new campaign slogan: “My propaganda, gainsay who dare!”
Go Roanoke Times, long may you reign!
you people that think the rk times is liberal because it doesn’t favor Cucinelli….are not in tune with the Virginia electorate….who tend to vote democratic…thank god for northern va, and eastern va….and i will wager the next governor of the great state of va will not be a republican…
Wayne #49, they fail to see the irony.
Fox News and most of talk radio is so conservative. The most cnservative televison and radio I have seen or heard! And I disagree with it but by leaving it on as background noise helps so I can make fun of it and hope they move to the center.
Ken has strong opinions against the RT. I hope I had some small part in his frustration. “Cause he’s the worst AG Virginia has had since James Lindsay Almond, Jr. Let’s just hope he doesn’t gain the Governors seat.
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I think the RT should now be able to raise ad rates!
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Congratulations all around, Cheers!
It is beyond me how the Roanoke Times survives, how can you trust them with any story when they are so biased?
Hey, at least the sports and outdoors sections are pretty good. When it comes to politics, the RT can’t be taken seriously. Kinda like MSNBC.
I think Bob Woodword walking out on Obama will just be the start of the end of the hopeless love affair the media has with this administration. Will the RT try to become legitimate, or will they stand by their man?
You don’t like the editorial position the paper takes don’t read the editorials/opinions. I often get another paper with a conservative slant, read the editorials occasionally, but generally just read it for the news. I disagree with the comment that a paper should reflect its readership, the paper should take positions they think are right. Is a paper biased because it supports viewpoints that aren’t centrist? If a paper is biased because it has a liberal bent, then is it not biased if they espouse a conservative leaning? The editorial opinion expressed by the RT may be liberal (I’ve read far more liberal btw) but it also provides a daily spot for conservative columnists and the commentary section is open to anyone of any persuasion as long as they’re civil and the letter section is the same.
An AG complaining about the media sure says a lot about his commitment to free speech…that he agrees with.
Sandi, how about a President that complains about Fox news? I can’t believe you posted that one
Dan,
Print journalism is likely not to like what I’m going to say. My wife & I just cancelled our subscription to a regional newspaper. Why you might ask? The truth is that we weren’t reading it. Our locality has a recycling program that includes newspapers among other things. What I discovered was that when I got up each day and walked out to pick up our regional newspaper and brought it back in, the paper from the day before was sitting on the kitchen counter unread. We’ve discovered the same thing with most of the news/general purpose magazines we subscribed to. As a result, my wife & I have asked ourselves if we actually read the paper/news magazine. The answer for the most part has been no. As a result, we’ve begun to cancel subscriptions for print copies. I have begun to get electronic subscriptions to some publications. I suspect I’m not the only one who has begun to cull subscriptions.
I know that has little to do with what Atty. Gen’l Cuccinelli dislikes about the Roanoke Times. He’s not the first politician who has differences with newspapers in the geographic region that politician is elected from. Most need to just stop whining and move on.
Pretty weird all these folks who never post on the blog showing up on this one thread. Special friends of the Cooch?
Cuccinelli’s RT comment reminds of the story of a golfer who, halfway thru a terrible round turns to his caddie and says, “you have got to be the world’s worst caddie!” The caddie casually responds, “That would be way too much of a coincidence.”
Re: Ron May at 10:09 pm
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BTDTGTDT
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Certainly the most liberal I have come across and that was over 30 years ago
Meaningful Thinking Left Town Years Ago…. Slanted, Self Serving Libs, u get the pic…. Now the WEB PAGE BETA FORM STINKS!
what the heck is awaiting moderation, guess sensorship obama care?
The local coverage, human interest stories are well done. Its many of the political columnists and editors who make the paper so ridiculously liberal for the area the paper serves. They must think they have wide distribution in Boston, San Fran, and DC. Truth is the distribution of the paper is widely due to its promotion of football played in Blacksburg. Without that, the paper would be out of business.
Gee, I guess The Cooch is not looking for an endorsement this fall. Not smart enough to be governor. But then he has already amply proved that point.
If Mr. Cuccinelli has something bad to say about the RT or anything else, it’s a good thing for those he’s criticizing. No one is more of a “knuckle dragger” than this less than intelligent person. Congratulations RT for being a great journalistic piece of work. This is only affirmation of the soundness of the paper’s work, when someone of this low level of intellect says less than cognizant statements. Keep up the good work Mr. Casey; you and the paper make me proud to call Roanoke my hometown. I compliment all of you regularly here in NOVA.
“I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made” FDR
Run Bill Bolling, run!!
Dave Hicks,
Huh!! ?? I’m not good at acronyms.
If VA was soooo conservative, how are these poll numbers explained – and the source? The conservative Washington Times.
Seems that a guy who gets a lot of publicity and has been part of the Richmond cabal for years, would be better known and liked than candidate Terry McAuliffe.
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“A Quinnipiac University poll shows Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe and Republican Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II tied at 38 percent in a hypothetical two-way race that excludes the Republican lieutenant governor, who is mulling a bid and is expected to announce next month whether he will run.”
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“Including Mr. Bolling in the race gives Mr. McAuliffe a slight edge of 34 percent over Mr. Cuccinelli’s 31 percent and Mr. Bolling’s 13 percent, but pollsters said it is far too early in the race to designate a favorite.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/20/poll-shows-cuccinelli-mcauliffe-tied-virginia/#ixzz2MC8nKjMF
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oh wait…conservatives don’t believe in polls so… nevermind
Congratulations Dan. Once you’ve garnered a Coochie, can the Pulitzer be far behind?
“what the heck is awaiting moderation, guess sensorship obama care?”
Thank you for demonstrating why everybody should ignore any further posts from you, Billy.
#76 And McAuliffe hasn’t even stated campaigning yet, Hillary. Cuccinelli’s been campaigning for years.
BRING ON SEQUESTRATION !!!
It seems The Roanoke Times is not going according to his script. In his world everyone goes lock in step and everyone else gets investigated.
The Roanoke Times isn’t a Newspaper. It’s an Agendapaper. They only print what they want you to believe.
I guess it is our fault for even visiting roanoke.com in the first place, but I did not seek out this column it was on the homepage with a provocative title, that is why I clicked and was plesantly surprised by the video.
I am curious as to the number of heads to explode when C wins Gov. Right or Left, if you do not think he is THE rising star of Virginia politics you are living in LaLa land…He could be every bit of Mark Warner in the future years (political office wise)….but in the interim he’ll challenge Christie and Jindal as most popular Republican Gov.
Bank on it.
libbiecoms are the ‘lock in step type’ billyboy…read other news papers, you might even learn something..you certainly won’t learn anything on this one…beside, I thought libbies were all about tolerance? hmmmmmmmm?
“I guess it is our fault for even visiting roanoke.com in the first place, but I did not seek out this column it was on the homepage with a provocative title, that is why I clicked and was plesantly surprised by the video.”
–Derek
Derek,
Thank you for reading and posting on the blog. Fyi, I’m a columnist who also writes/moderates a blog. This blog post is definitely not a column, and there’s a big difference between the two.
I offer that up simply to distinguish between the two. They are sometimes confused; in the same way readers often confuse me with being a reporter and criticize me for subjectivity they perceive in my columns — which by the way are supposed to be subjective and have a point of view.
and Terry McAulifffe’s run for Gov…..that, friends, is the biggest joke since Balloon Boy.
Derek, you have to understand something here Babe, these people on here, most of them, are low info libbie coms that love the left with all their souls- no, they have none…with all their hearts-no that can’t be right either..with all their minds-well what is left of it anyway. They will dog you about your opinions and beliefs….but wait, aren’t they the ‘tolerant’ ones?
oh and g, there is no such word as ‘sensorship’ dear, get a dictionary
Derek, in the high tech world, clicking on a link IS to “seek out”. Do you accidentally click on other things you do not “seek” and then complain about them?
Wally W, you may not see any difference in an AG and the President or any other politician. That is your choice.
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Merely complaining about the media or even a network, is not the same thing as saying one of them is “the worst”.
The problem is not a liberal viewpoint. The fundamental flaw of this paper is that they do not wish to present world news; instead, we must live in Plato’s Cave, as tho world events wash around us without affecting us. I notified Mike Stowe of this. This paper knows there is money in Victory Stadium nostalgia. Sad. Too much space devoted to tearjerker family stories a la Reader’s Digest, stories which are NOT news. No one at the paper will listen. The world turns while tearjerkers usurp headline space. We are not the Gateway to SW Va but to oblivion. And it is a monopoly paper; this is NOT journalism, it is money-printing. Pity. Dan, keep up the good work.
The problem with the Roanoke Times is they either don’t understand their potential customer base, or they stubbornly refuse to cater to them. The paper would be fine in northern VA or Connecticut, or one of the blue counties of Maryland, but this is Southwest Virginia, one of the most conservative areas of the country. I didn’t escape Mexifornia for this! I guarantee their circulation would double within a year if they purged their staff of all the libs (except Dan, of course… he’s a conservative at heart – just doesn’t know it yet) and hired some real journalists without an obvious idealogical bent. Either that, or they’ll go the way of a McDonalds in a vegan commune.
“He could be every bit of Mark Warner in the future years (political office wise)….but in the interim he’ll challenge Christie and Jindal as most popular Republican Gov.
Bank on it.”
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Hahahaha. Cooch is a joke, and thanks to the media’s attentions, he’s not just a joke here, but also outside the Virginia borders. “Rising star”? Warner commands the respect of many on both sides of the aisle. Even McDonnell thinks the AG is a nut.
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Who knew so many people were so personally pained by a single website that they have to purposefully seek it out to express their agony? Navigate away, already. Put us all out of your misery.
Wally W, does raise a good question though, does an Attorney General of a state or the United States mean anything other than just another politician?
Congratulations, RT!
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I have a crazy idea. It’s pretty progressive but not terribly radical. How about our elected officials perform their duties and conduct themselves as if held to the highest of standards? How about they perform so well that there is absolutely nothing negative about them to cover in the media? Then, in a bizarre twist, how about they leave the media to the kiddie pool of op/ed and not address which way a paper leans. Just issue the canned response, “Well, that’s another great thing about our country, Bob. We don’t restrict our media to one slant or another. They are free to offer any opinions they wish.” Then, carry on.
Reaganite,
The newspaper is a source for news and information. As such we’re hardly a “monopoly.” There are many of those in this region: TV stations, radio stations, web sites, weekly newspapers etc. It’s true we’re the only daily newspaper. But we’re hardly “a monopoly” in the traditional (or anti-trust) sense. We’re the only one by circumstance, rather than design. Nothing prevents somebody else from starting a competing daily newspaper in this market (except for their own good sense, given the flagging circulation of newspapers in general). Starting a competing paper is simply not a business anyone is jumping into anywhere in the country, for many good reasons.
Btw, thanks for the kind words.
I have been a subscriber to the Roanoke Times for 33 years and a lifelong reader. It is simply and literally not true that The Roanoke Times, as a news vehicle is “biased”. Not in the reporting, not in the news offered and not in the telling of the news. You cannot prove it, because it is not true.
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The Roanoke Times Editorial Board is not conservative by choice of the owner, as is their prerogative. Editorials and commentary are supposed to challenge your beliefs not confirm them. If the editorial board was as conservative as some of you, it would be out of business by now because that only sells to a limited number of people not the broad appeal the RT has.
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Local people denigrating the only local paper we have is just pretty petty, vindictive and bitterly partisan, but it is not right, fair or sensible.
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The paper does carry conservative commentary and columnists, they do so daily. They added a new one just recently.
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That they do not offer the POV you share on their board, does not and has never meant your POV is not represented.
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You all are a whining, sniveling, elitist bunch who, like Cuccinelli, wants to only read and see what you agree with and what upholds what you believe is right regardless of what others may think.
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Attendance here and subscriptions to the paper, remain voluntary. Instead of having the decency to appreciate your voice being heard, you have to insult the host. Typical!
“oh and g, there is no such word as ‘sensorship’ dear, get a dictionary”
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pammala, you REALLY should read before you post. That was me cutting and pasting Billy’s post. Billy is the one who wrote “sensorship.” Notice that I had the good manners not to mention that whereas, you, a right winger, couldn’t resist being rude.
What should the RT be doing…sending correspondants to Rome to report on the Pope’s resignation? Covering terrorists in Yemen?
I don’t get the RT to read a bunch of hashed over rewarmed AP and UPI pool reporting of world events. I can get that anywhere, and anyone looking to a smaller regional newspaper for international coverage needs to look elsewhere.
#84 Many of us from the left are tolarent of all kinds of folks. It is the far right wing neo cons that want their 1950′s thinking to somehow spread like a bad cancer.
The good news is the days of the neo cons are over, its just you and I think the GOP does not know it yet. Kind of being behind the time but what else is new?
The GOP just keeps digging deeper onto their hole.
Amazing how many folks hate the Roanoke Times, yet took the time to read this blog post and comment…
Labels don’t help anyone folks…it’s what “they” want you to do- focus on petty name calling while they all get richer.
Dan, do you paid for both? If so, to me, the line becimes murky….imo….though I will say heck of a swindle to get paid for your opinions…everyone has one, you make it bank…
Acrually Sandi I googled Ken C. yesterday and the link came up that he hated the paper…I clicked, sent to the homepage, I clicked again to get to my orginial destination, I liked it, I commented and I am back to read the funny stiuff….
What I NEVER understand is why media outlets simply do not embarace their liberalism or conservatism…Everyone knows the RT is a liberal rag…and the fact that a brillant conservative politican hates it and Republican readers agree with him…well is that not he natural course of events?
I think there is something to be said too…for those debating the viability of the print media…that the RT is declining in readership like most of the newspapers in the country…whom mostly blame it on the net…yet the RT covers a region with some of the most limited connectivity in the country….just saying, I do not think we can blame the net solely for RT’s decline…perhaps it is the columns and blogs they bankroll that turn subscriptions away.
I also think by the tone of this comment area, the gov. Race is going to be awesome to watch (and win), and I see fear in the Dems. tone…moreso than any Romneyera tales!
GoKen….with Obama it would be like Ken and Barbie!
And Sandi, darling, if you do not see their bias in their “reporting”……
LensCrafters is having a sake…if they are closed hit up Newman and Blackstock…just get them eyes checked…
…and embrace it..I embrace Fox, it is ok…
Derek | February 28, 2013 at 6:28 pm
And Sandi, darling, if you do not see their bias in their “reporting”……
LensCrafters is having a sake…if they are closed hit up Newman and Blackstock…just get them eyes checked…
…and embrace it..I embrace Fox, it is ok…
And that sir, is precisely your problem!
“Brilliant”, I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen that word used to describe Cuccinelli.
“LensCrafters is having a sake…”
I think you have to get an ABC license to sell that stuff.
” Many of us from the left are tolarent of all kinds of folks . . . ” – Bill Hudson @ #99
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Right, as is evidenced by Sandi @ 96:
“You all are a whining, sniveling, elitist bunch . . . ”
Dan, was that statement that simultaneously lumped anyone who disagrees with her into one group and insulted them the new modicum of civility you were talking about a few days ago?
The fact is all media is biased. Some lean right, most lean left. Editorial pages tend to get a pass because when they get called on bias they fall back on the “that’s the difference between news and opinion and we never claimed to be unbiased” defense. However, they often push their agenda in a less than forthright manner by presenting only the parts of the facts surrounding the news or issue that favors their argument and then arguing that “based on the facts” theirs is the only reasonable position. It’s a dishonest way to to debate and it is a blatant attempt to sway people toward their own political bent by treated the masses like mushrooms. But, like they say, it’s okay because it’s editorial content and people should know better than to take it as accurate.
The news on the other hand, professes to be more biased. Unfortunately this too is debatable. Newspapers do a couple of technical things to purposely confuse the reader as to what is objective fact and what is “the institutional position” of the paper. First, they mix human interest and news analysis into the same sections with “news.” Then the writers do their dead level best to present their analysis as objective fact. They focus on one side of the issue. They use hot button phrases designed to elicit emotional responses. They guide the readers down and path that matches the writers opinion and throw in just enough facts to appear convincing and hope the reader reaches “the obvious conclusion.” Local writers infuse their news stories with their own color commentary and use language to subtly show a bias. Those who agree with the bias, not the news, but the bias, generally don’t even notice the bias. However, the bias is usually obvious to those who disagree with that position.
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Often it is not what is said so much as it is how it is said. I believe it is up to the individual to be a knowledgeable, discerning reader who can recognize this for what it is. Sort of a literary caveat emptor I suppose. However, for those in the media to deny the existence of this phenomenon is just plain dishonest.
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Now pass the sake!
“GoKen….with Obama it would be like Ken and Barbie!”
And which would be which?
Seriously, what is going on on this blog lately. Derek, if you want to sit on Dan’s RT blog and debate the obsolescence of the RT and its blogs….knock yourself out. Do you even realize how stupid that is?
If Cooch says you are worst, you must be shooting straight at the bullseye on his butt! Good for you.
“The fact is all media is biased. Some lean right, most lean left. Editorial pages tend to get a pass because when they get called on bias they fall back on the “that’s the difference between news and opinion and we never claimed to be unbiased” defense. However, they often push their agenda in a less than forthright manner by presenting only the parts of the facts surrounding the news or issue that favors their argument and then arguing that “based on the facts” theirs is the only reasonable position. It’s a dishonest way to to debate and it is a blatant attempt to sway people toward their own political bent by treated the masses like mushrooms. But, like they say, it’s okay because it’s editorial content and people should know better than to take it as accurate.
The news on the other hand, professes to be more biased. Unfortunately this too is debatable. Newspapers do a couple of technical things to purposely confuse the reader as to what is objective fact and what is “the institutional position” of the paper. First, they mix human interest and news analysis into the same sections with “news.” Then the writers do their dead level best to present their analysis as objective fact. They focus on one side of the issue. They use hot button phrases designed to elicit emotional responses. They guide the readers down and path that matches the writers opinion and throw in just enough facts to appear convincing and hope the reader reaches “the obvious conclusion.” Local writers infuse their news stories with their own color commentary and use language to subtly show a bias. Those who agree with the bias, not the news, but the bias, generally don’t even notice the bias. However, the bias is usually obvious to those who disagree with that position.
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Often it is not what is said so much as it is how it is said. I believe it is up to the individual to be a knowledgeable, discerning reader who can recognize this for what it is. Sort of a literary caveat emptor I suppose. However, for those in the media to deny the existence of this phenomenon is just plain dishonest.”
–Chuck
I will grant that many people believe the above; though few put it with such a know-it-all air as Chuck does, above. It’s overly smug, incredibly fatuous and implies (but makes no explcit claim to be) “an insiders” perspective. Most of it is pure malarkey.
With regard to the first graf, the material on editorial pages and op-eds — editorials, an editorial cartoon letters to the editor, syndicated and nonsyndicated columns — is DESIGNED to be subjective. That means, “from a particular point of view.” It bears a resemblance to the high school debate club. If you are taking the “pro” position on, say, Free LSD for the Masses, you overweight your arguments with supporting evidence for your position. To pretend that you SHOULD have equal amounts of supporting evidence for the “pro” side and the “con” side, as Chuck does above, is silly. In that respect it constitutes a straw man argument. Pffffft!
The second graf is strange and hilarious in its misunderstanding of how a news operation works. What follows applies to newspapers only; I’ve been working in newsrooms for 29 years. The Roanoke Times is the 4th newspaper I’ve worked at.
First, I have no idea what Chuck means by “The news on the other hand, professes to be more biased.” Perhaps that belief is rife in the alternate universe of extreme RWer thought (where some apparently believe President Obama has a secret private army), but for anyone with even a tenuous grasp on reality, the statement is laughable on its face. The news sections of newspapers are LESS biased, not MORE. The mixup between those two words cannot be a typo; they only share one letter, which are in different positions.
Second, is the statement “Newspapers do a couple of technical things to purposely confuse the reader as to what is objective fact and what is “the institutional position” of the paper.” I can tell you from three decades of experience during which I have worked in every facet of the news-gathering operation (including administration) that I have never once heard anyone make any reference to “the institutional position” (or anything like that) of a paper with reference to what stories to play; how to write them, what headlines to put on them; where to play them and so on — on news pages. It’s ridiculous on its face and anyone who has ever worked in a newsroom knows it.
Third is the snippet, “They mix human interest and news analysis into the same sections with “news.” Then the writers do their dead level best to present their analysis as objective fact.” The fact is most news analysis is labeled analysis. Analysis doesn’t necessarily imply any bias; it seeks to give greater context to facts to enable a reader to understand those facts better. It’s also a step beyond the facts, often in the realm of “what it means, moving forward.” And in that respect it may involve some speculation. News features (I’m writing a column for Thursday’s paper that fall under this category) are not necessarily labeled. Should they be? Readers aren’t so stupid that they can’t figure out the topic is soft. But the biggest crime here is Chuck’s own “analysis” that this is does with a particular goal in mind to somehow trick readers. That is insane.
Fourth: “Local writers infuse their news stories with their own color commentary and use language to subtly show a bias. Those who agree with the bias, not the news, but the bias, generally don’t even notice the bias. However, the bias is usually obvious to those who disagree with that position.” What the heck does this even mean? Can someone please translate it for me? Have you ever worked in a newsroom, Chuck? Reporters in general have neither the time nor inclination to pepper their copy with subtle bias. But on the rare occasions that happens, there are three editors who read each story before it goes into print. One of their jobs is to deftly excise any biases that are detected. As an metro and copy editor I have excised subtle biases on a couple of occasions (whether I agreed with the bias or not). It doesn’t happen often.
All of the above is to say, the original comment is full of horse-manure pontification, and was obviously written by somebody with no understanding of a real news operation, at least with newspapers.
When you start holding the right wing opinionated writers to the same “standards” you claim to champion, I will consider your POV. We all know better.
Chuck is right, me saying “You all are a whining, sniveling, elitist bunch…” was not civil. It was accurate, but it was not civil. I will endeavor to be a better person.
Dan,at #109, so many words, yet you said nothing of value in terms of debate. Based upon your own rules of conduct, you should not only remove Sandi Saunders from this blog, but you should remove yourself too. If your goal is to tick off opposing points of views to attract angry bloggers, I guess you are winning to some extent. If your goal is to lead a board with honest debate, you are losing bigtime! Chuck, nice job of presenting a reasonable argument.
Sandi
You have learned well from the republicons and right wingers who are all masters of the nonapology apology . The number of i’m sorry if you had the bad manners to be offended by my insult apologies from that crowd has been phenomenal.
Dan,at #109, so many words, yet you said nothing of value in terms of debate. Based upon your own rules of conduct, you should not only remove Sandi Saunders from this blog, but you should remove yourself too. If your goal is to tick off opposing points of views to attract angry bloggers, I guess you are winning to some extent. If your goal is to lead a board with honest debate, you are losing bigtime! Chuck, nice job of presenting a reasonable argument.
–Wally W
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Wally W,
Chuck made a bunch of assertions that are untrue. I disputed them. Now, can you answer these questions?
1) Why are you posting from the same IP address as “Another Chuck.”
2) Are you him?
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We prefer one anon ID per poster, please. Sockpuppetry is highly frowned upon.
Wally, Dan merely told the truth. I was also once in the business and he’s right. But at least you’re willing to admit that you also know nothing about the way a newsroom works.
Sorry Virginia Teabillies, we have a great local newspaper it’s just too bad reality has a liberal bias and you’re headed to history’s embarrassing footnotes.
RIP GOP.
From Art Hill’s link:
“At a time when the Republican Party’s image is at a historic low, 62% of the public says the GOP is out of touch with the American people, 56% think it is not open to change and 52% say the party is too extreme.
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Opinions about the Democratic Party are mixed, but the party is viewed more positively than the GOP in every dimension tested except one. Somewhat more say the Republican Party than the Democratic Party has strong principles (63% vs. 57%).
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The national survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted Feb. 13-18 among 1,504 adults, comes at a time when Republican leaders are debating the party’s future in the wake of Barack Obama’s reelection. The Republican Party’s image has been hit hard over the past decade. In January, just 33% said they viewed the party favorably, among the lowest marks of the last 20 years. The GOP’s favorable rating has not been above 50% since shortly after George W. Bush’s reelection in 2004.”
http://www.people-press.org/2013/02/26/gop-seen-as-principled-but-out-of-touch-and-too-extreme/
Chuck? Just because you disagree with something doesn’t mean it’s “biased”.
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Yet again we’re faced with this false equivalency in the name of fair-mindedness. If someone says the earth is round, “equal time” must be given the flat earthers.
I wish the GOP would come to its senses. But I am not holding my breath.
You want bias? Try Newsmax sometime. But do it quick before they fall off the far right edge of the flat planet they live on.
#116….Considering you obviously live in a bubble, your predictions are half-assed, at best.
Kristin, you don’t know the world is round. You haven’t personally observed it from space. You haven’t proved it via an elaborate, geophysics equation. You have been TAUGHT that its round.
Don’t you get it? Teaching is propaganda. Teachers are members of the NEA, which is a bunch of communists, who support President Obama. They indoctrinated you with a BELIEF, which you now regard as a fact. You really ought to look into it a bit, via the handy research tool known as Google. Perhaps your eyes will be opened. There is evidence there that the Earth is a cube. President Obama must be suppressing this information.
The ultimate compliment coming from this Neanderthal!
So then I would assume CooCoo thinks the Richmond Times Dispatch is an excellent source of unbiased journalism. LOL…what a piece of work this guy is. I hope the good people of Virginia send this guy to the unemployment line this November.
hey kristen, don’t listen to dan about his version of propaganda spewed by government schools. The link below will amaze you with what the government libs are doing with the little kiddies!
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-obama-song-school-indoctrination-run-amok-teacher-4520563.html?cat=62
Wally W, I own my comments here by signing my name to them. I do not hide in anonymity and attack anyone. I respond in kind to people who are just as egregiously insulting. I will voluntarily leave if they all go with me.
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“Carolina Kid | March 3, 2013 at 11:14 am
Frank. It’s all about the low-information voters. The Democrat voting base is chock full of them, so Obama can pretty much say what he wants. And considering the fact Obama has had over four years in office without a skeptical press asking him tough questions, I would say he’s just doing what he can. Yes. He’s lying and his mindless sheep just can’t seem to get enough of it.
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Frank | March 3, 2013 at 1:11 pm
wow, heads are starting to spin…again, well done, CK!
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Terps | March 3, 2013 at 11:46 am
So Martin took a handout from the Azar’s and then complained that the Azars were not doing enough. Sounds like Martin would be an excellent OWS member and a guaranteed Obama voter.
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Frank | March 3, 2013 at 12:56 pm
perfect, terps.
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Frank | March 3, 2013 at 12:53 pm
I think J.M. should play the righteous Sheriff, Dan the wronged landlord, Sandi the problem squatter,
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Frank | March 3, 2013 at 1:24 pm
Dan, I have to disagree with you again! I’ve not seen a better whiner on your blog than Sandi.
…maybe one of the shows could feature you struggling to make pay roll. oops. that would mean struggling to pay yourself. and, one day you feel sorry for sandi as she’s trying to re-gather her belongings at the curb from the mess gdad made the night before, and you invite her to stay at your place for a couple of days…until she finds someplace else!
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pammala | March 3, 2013 at 7:44 am
‘crushing women’s rights’?
oh brother you are almost as good a drama queen as barry soetoro…
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Leon | March 2, 2013 at 8:19 am
…Obviously, you fall for such Lypocrisy hook, line and sinker. This appears to be your schtick.
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pammala | March 2, 2013 at 8:57 am
sure we resent It, he isnt a real president, he is a shill for geroge soros, but then that is old news babe, read something other than this rag and you might learn something..they are not the only low info voters, (nice title you gave them -welfare queens- how liberal of you, your words). I’d say ANYONE who voted for obama is low info, no brain, shill for communism a
and a lover of a liar
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Awood | March 2, 2013 at 9:49 am
Mr. Doyle…No sense in providing a `source` for any liberal….The truth is simply ignored by these folks.
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Frank | March 1, 2013 at 9:28 pm
you are truly one of the uninformed, art hill.
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Frank | March 2, 2013 at 10:43 am
hey folks, this is the best Art Hill has to say, as noted in his post at #71:
………..”maybe if you didn’t blow it out your butt so often…”………..
Spoken like a true-blue low-information lib. I mean, REALLY, Art?
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Frank | March 3, 2013 at 9:38 am
Art Hill at post #89,
As evidenced by your posts, Art, you don’t engage in anything constructive, particularly thinking.
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pammala | February 28, 2013 at 3:19 pm
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/28/white-house-denies-staffer-threatened-watergate-journalist-woodward/
read and weep libbiecoms
your boy is going down
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pammala | March 1, 2013 at 8:43 am
” I have no doubt there was a horse head in his bed last night too.”
that is because your boy dictator is certainly capable of that type of thuggery. sandi get the low info voter award for the day…lol“
Wally W still hasn’t answered whether he is Another Chuck (they are posting from same IP address).
Wally, there is no doubt Sany owns her comments. None whatsoever. Whew!
I wonder what obuma thinks of the Richmond Times…compared to the Roanoke Times?
gee, sandy, stop being silly (re: your post at 96)!
Just today, the Roanoke Times printed a front page story titled “Budget crises not first with backlash” which includes the folowing:
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“Reagan’s ambitious 1986 over-haul of the tax code simplified taxes and closed many loopholes, including the elimination of credit card interest as a tax deduction…then people started borrowing heavily against the fast-rising equity in their homes, because that interest was still deductible….but the practice eventually helped put millions of home-owners under water on their mortgages when the housing bubble burst, contributing to the 2007-2008 recession.”
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That’s the …first… time I’ve EVER seen Reagan’s TAX LOOP-HOLE CUTS even remotely be blamed for the 2007-2009 recession….but what else do we expect from a newspaer like the Roanoke Times?
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Sandy, any thoughts on the today’s RT’s front page theory of Reagan’s tax loop-holes having caused the 2007-2009 recession?
Frank, I see why you do not get it, it is perfectly logical that when the credit card interest was taken away as a deduction, people used their home equity line of credit instead because that interest would be tax deductible. If you have not seen evidence of that adding to the underwater home mortgages, well you have not been paying attention. Who knew?
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http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/03/real_estate/home_equity/index.htm
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http://weekendrealestatereport.com/2012/08/the-home-equity-line-bubble/
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http://www.mybudget360.com/home-equity-loans-674-billion-in-total-loans-when-the-household-atm-goes-out-of-order-first-second-third-fourth-and-even-fifth-mortgages/