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Post by lioneljoe on Oct 28, 2008 6:05:27 GMT -5
As we come to the last week before the November election, I have to say that the Observer Dispatch’s coverage of the Arcuri – Hanna congressional race has been race has been atrocious. Sunday’s lead story on Arcuri’s pork looks like it was cut and pasted from his press release. In fact, most OD coverage consists of press releases and counter-statements from the other candidate. The OD has never published or analyzed any of Congressman Arcuri’s voting records. Many days there is no coverage at all even though the local section will only have about two pages of useful news. The OD never asks any tough questions. Anything that is remotely critical is soft pedaled.
Back in early July, before the Boilermaker, I sat down with a reporter at the OD offices and presented a detailed analyst of Congressman Arcuri’s voting record on Iraq, Afghanistan, Veteran issues. The reporter was impressed with the work and said that the OD would print it after the race. The race came and went and the article was never printed. I would this reporter every couple of weeks and each time I was told that there was “plenty of time” and that it would “get in the paper”. This continued through October
The OD frequently toots its own horn saying that posts an editorial that the OD’s election coverage is “beyond reproach” and it’s coverage is “what readers count on”. Last month, I talked to Observer Dispatch editors challenging them to make good on that pledge. What I received was silence and excuses. “It’s too long” said one, a bizarre claim given the OD’s incredibly shrinking content. “It’s not important or relevant” said another. In an election you would think that thought that a congressman’s voting record is “what readers count on” from their paper. There’s more to it than that, but that’s the short version
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Post by dgriffin on Oct 28, 2008 15:41:56 GMT -5
From your description, it seems the newspaper is playing favorites. Another problem with "in-depth local news" is they have to pay someone to research and write it. Far cheaper to download national stories from AP and copy the local politicians' publicity releases, as you point out.
Unfortunately, newspapers may not feel they can afford to be in the news business these days. How sad is that?
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Post by WestmoGuy on Oct 28, 2008 16:51:31 GMT -5
What does the OD give good coverage to anyway? NUTHIN
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Post by gearofzanzibar on Oct 29, 2008 3:24:08 GMT -5
Unfortunately, it's not just the OD. The quality of Utica/Rome's media environment peaked in the late 80's and has been on a steady decline ever since. There simply isn't enough staff to follow through on stories or do any kind of investigative reporting on a regular basis.
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Post by strikeslip on Oct 29, 2008 6:05:08 GMT -5
Lioneljoe -- I think you misunderstood the OD reporter when he said he'd publish your information after the race ... He meant the congressional race, not the Boilermaker.  The OD DOES play favorites, and that is its problem... and that is this region's problem. It constantly filters information to mold public opinion to its view of issues. This might not be so bad if the people running the paper really understood the issues . . . even dictators have been known to accomplish a few good things . . . but the OD does NOT understand the issues and never has in my lifetime. So we get stuck with abominations like the MV Water Authority that they pushed for. |
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Post by dgriffin on Oct 29, 2008 7:11:01 GMT -5
The OD DOES play favorites, and that is its problem... and that is this region's problem. It constantly filters information to mold public opinion to its view of issues. That's quite a claim, Strike, but I feel I know you enough through your writing and blog to suspect you may have good reason to believe it. Why exactly, would the OD do that? What would they stand to gain? Imagining myself running the newspaper, shaping the news runs counter to my business sense. Election results tend to run close to 50/50, indicating an even split of the electorate's opinions. It would seem safer for a newspaper to be neutral, in order to please the most readers. Picking one side will never buy the good will of more than 50 percent of readers. Staying neutral sells more papers. Yes, I know they're not having a great time at business lately. But I doubt it's because of any political leanings. |
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Post by WestmoGuy on Oct 30, 2008 10:20:12 GMT -5
Should also thank them for the wonderful football coverage. OMG would you believe NH is ranked #12 in the state? They are the only football team around here. Nobody else plays the sport anymore because NH is so f***ing great. BTW, Westmo is ranked #9 in the state. We are a small community located along the NYS Thruway in case nobody ever heard of us. Going for the Class semi-finals this weekend against Herkimer. LOL Typical OD bullshit favoritism. Oh and OUR Marching Band was at the dome Sunday too. We came in 5th out of 14 bands. I'm done  |
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Post by dgriffin on Oct 30, 2008 18:05:30 GMT -5
WmoG, are you saying that NH is #12 and Westmoreland is ranked higher/better at #9 in the state and gets less coverage in the OD? I guess measured by column inches or some other metric? Is the OD the principal paper in Westmoreland? (I would think so.) Wow, there are a lot of teams in the area. I was just looking at their sports web page for today. www.uticaod.com/sports |
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Post by WestmoGuy on Oct 30, 2008 18:15:29 GMT -5
Those rankings Dave are from different classes also.
The schools are ranked according to district population among
other things.
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Post by dgriffin on Oct 30, 2008 20:22:52 GMT -5
Well, my brain hasn't even gone there in quite a few years. I haven't the slightest idea anymore how teams rank.
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Post by snickers on Oct 30, 2008 21:30:00 GMT -5
I have a convenient formula for local elections. When I'm in that sacred place, the voting booth, I just look for the familiar names of the incumbents. Then I vote for somebody else.
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Post by Swimmy on Oct 30, 2008 21:40:28 GMT -5
I have a convenient formula for local elections. When I'm in that sacred place, the voting booth, I just look for the familiar names of the incumbents. Then I vote for somebody else. I like that formula. With the exception of incumbents like Mr. Tanoury, Jr., I will have to employ that formula. The only flaw with your formula is with the presidential election, neither is the incumbent there! lol |
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Post by WestmoGuy on Oct 31, 2008 8:03:18 GMT -5
Just another addition:
Today in the sports section, they have listed all the
classes playing today and tomorrow in football except Class C.
A**h**es
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Post by Swimmy on Nov 3, 2008 18:33:14 GMT -5
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Post by dan on Nov 8, 2008 18:56:29 GMT -5
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