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Tag: Michigan Jocelyn Benson

The Unfairness of Equity

By JGillman, Section News
Posted on Wed Oct 27, 2010 at 09:31:40 PM EST
Tags: Ruth Johnson, SOS, Michigan Jocelyn Benson, Editorial Boards, Endorsements, Elections, Fairness, Perception, Democrats, Republicans, Secretary of State (all tags)

By Michael Gillman Sr.

Some question has been raised as to why several Michigan daily newspapers have endorsed Jocelyn Benson (D) instead of the clearly better-qualified Ruth Johnson (R) for Secretary of State. The answer requires an understanding of newspaper editorial boards, rather than an understanding of the candidates.

Most local newspapers are granted a high degree of autonomy by their corporate ownership,when it comes to editorial policy. Endorsements in a presidential or gubernatorial race might be dictated, but rarely an endorsement below that level. Newsmen and editorial writers of local papers are generally"soft-left", fitting the characterization of mainstream media.

Elections featuring several offices pose a problem for that mindset. The editorialists want to be seen (and see themselves!) as thoughtful and even-handed. They feel their influence in a community will be compromised if the public sees the local paper as overwhelmingly one-sided. Thus it is required that a demonstration of thoughtful deliberation and "fairness" be reflected in the editorial page endorsements before every election.

And how does all of this translate itself for the 2010 election in Michigan?

~ The answer below the fold ~

(1 comment, 409 words in story) Full Story