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economic proposal." Again, there was no mention of Bob Adams, no reference to his press release, no effort to contact him for a response.
As Adams pointed out in his press release, Snyder's economic zone idea is obviously designed merely to generate positive headlines for campaign purposes. The Journal, it appears, seems happy to serve as an accomplice.Republican events seldom covered
While The Journal's bias has long been in evidence, it is even more obvious in recent weeks and months.Dr. Joe De Soto, president of the Berkeley County Republican Club, recently helped organize a Reagan Day Picnic which was held Saturday, with attendance throughout the day by more than 100 local Republicans. According to local GOP officials, De Soto said The Journal promised to cover the event, which included appearances by virtually every Republican candidate along with gubernatorial hopeful Russ Weeks. but The Journal failed to show up. The (Hagerstown) Herald-Mail, however, did cover the event. "Whenever five Democrats get together to do anything, The Journal is there," said one local Republican. "But Republicans get nothing."Even Democrat State Senator John Unger is reportedly upset by the tact being taken by The Journal this year, which is ironic since the newspaper in essence served as a branch of his reelection campaign in 2006, when it reported as a serious news item Unger's claim that a "homeland security breach" may have occurred because someone took a picture through an open hallway door into his office. The Journal also produced a feature story about Unger's "walking campaign" that was so flattering that Unger actually reproduced it and included it with copies of Blue Books he mailed to constituents at taxpayer expense.But with Unger safely entrenched and Yoder running against Lorensen, things have changed. It has long been accepted that area residents often confuse Unger and Yoder, since both are local Senators named John with somewhat similar last names. Unger has reportedly complained lately that he is receiving virtually no positive coverage from The Journal because the newspaper is worried its readers will confuse him with Yoder, which could help Yoder's campaign against Lorensen.GOP Delegates resort to paying for space
Delegate Craig Blair, R-Berkeley, has tried to work with The Journal since his election in 2002. He has been denied several requests over the years to write a weekly column for the The Journal to report on legislative happenings.Finally, in 2006, The Journal agreed to carry such columns if all area legislators agreed to participate. Every Republican agreed, but every Democrat declined, so The Journal refused to carry the columns."Since when do the Democrats have veto power over The Journal's editorial decisions?" asks Blair. "But it appears that's the case. It's ironic because public perception is often that we do things behind closed doors and behind people's backs. But when we want to communicate with the voters, the newspaper tells us no."Blair took matters into his own hands, and has long paid for advertising space in The Journal to publish such a column. When The Journal raised its price from $85 a week to, now, $115 per week, Blair solicited his fellow GOP lawmakers to participate, and they now rotate the column and the expense between Blair and Delegates Jonathan Miller, Walter Duke and John Overington. But The Journal will routinely publish responses to the columns free of charge.Adams has likewise spent thousands of dollars in advertising with The Journal. But the newspaper has routinely ridiculed him, including an editorial cartoon last year mocking him because he has run or considered running for other offices in the past. Now, it simply does not cover him at all."It's beyond me how to get The Journal to cover this campaign fairly and equally," says Adams. "I'm past the point of worrying about it. Republicans have to do their best to go around The Journal, because they can't count on anything from them." Adams says he is seriously considering boycotting a scheduled Journal-sponsored debate later in the campaign.(There is at least one notable exception to The Journal's political leanings. As an Ogden newspaper, The Journal typically is supportive of Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito, as are other papers owned by the Ogden chain.)Republicans turn to other publications
Ironically, some Republicans say that The Journal is legally registered in the state as a Republican newspaper -- an archaic regulation that allows it to benefit from a law (WV Code 59-3-2(d)) mandating that legal advertising must appear in newspapers of opposite politics in the region, if available. The Spirit of Jefferson is reportedly registered as the Democrat newspaper. Legal registration aside, The Journal's obvious interest in promoting even the most dubious of Democrat initiatives while simultaneously ignoring almost all Republican actions or activities has reached the point where many Republican officeholders and officials have given up trying.The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, the Spirit of Jefferson, and even the Cumberland Times have provided greater balance and coverage of Republican candidates, say local officials. And for several election cycles, Blair has worked with other Republicans to produce and pay for an insert publication highlighting GOP candidates and issues."We have a few alternatives," said one Republican. "We work with the other papers, and hope that residents of the Eastern Panhandle recognize The Journal and its biases and motives for what they are." | ||||||
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The Republican Gazette
When media bias can't be ignored
Monday, July 21, 2008
Republicans question Martinsburg Journal's motives with editor's husband in race for Circuit Judge post
The Journal of Martinsburg has never been a favorite publication of Republicans in the Eastern Panhandle, for reasons that are demonstrably obvious over the years. But an election matchup this year brings into even sharper focus the suspected bias of the newspaper and its coverage of the 2008 election.Mike Lorensen is the husband of Journal editor Maria Lorensen, and is running on the Democrat ticket for judge in the 23rd Judicial Circuit. His opponent is Republican State Senator John Yoder. Lorensen won a primary election victory over Michael Santa Barbara, while Yoder was unopposed in the GOP primary.Publisher addresses the concerns
Back in February, Journal publisher Craig Bartoldson addressed the issue, telling readers, "Because of the nature of this election I want to express our understanding of your concerns that may arise. Meeting with our editors, we are extremely conscious that we be as fair and even in our treatment of these candidates as to not give the appearance of any favoritism. We pledge to give this race the coverage it would normally receive with the fairness that you all expect."But many Republicans suspect that while The Journal may be careful in its direct coverage of the Lorensen-Yoder race -- although on at least one occasion, Mike Lorensen stood in for his wife at an event, representing The Journal, according to attendees -- it is in fact attempting to affect the outcome via its coverage of the election as a whole. "If The Journal can drive up Democrat voter turnout by its one-sided coverage of the other races, it will benefit Mike Lorensen," said one Republican official. A case in point is the race to replace Yoder in the State Senate. Former State Senator Herb Snyder is running on the Democrat ticket, while Republican Bob Adams is carrying the GOP banner, after winning a primary election which featured a last-minute exit by Republican Commissioner Rusty Morgan, who dropped out citing health reasons, but remained on the ballot.A search of The Journal's online database reveals that Adams has not received one mention in The Journal since before the primary election back in May. But lately, Snyder has been prominently featured in headlines and stories regarding a plan he has discussed with both Jefferson and Berkeley commissioners to create a new economic zone in the region.Helping Snyder with a campaign gimmick
Commissioners in both counties have been lukewarm at best to Snyder's proposal, but The Journal's headlines and stories reflect otherwise. On July 12, The Journal carried this headline: "Former senator proposes economic plan -- Herb Snyder attempts to get Jefferson County Commission on board with new idea." The lead paragraphs read, "Jefferson County Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to cooperate with local agencies in a letter of support for a plan to draw businesses into the area. Former state Sen. Herb Snyder, a Democrat now running for his former seat in the 16th District, is leading the effort to create the fourth state economic alliance zone of five Eastern Panhandle counties."It's not until deep into the story that readers learn the commissioners were not particularly excited about Snyder's proposal. "Commissioners Greg Corliss and Jim Surkamp agreed the idea was a good one, but they said they worried the zone would become just another bureaucratic level of development efforts." Later, the story notes that "Commissioner Rusty Morgan expressed concern over what the zone would cost Jefferson County, but Snyder said they were too early in the process to be talking about figures. However, he did say that member counties of the state's other economic zones generally contribute from $10,000 to $20,000 each year in addition to mostly state funds. Morgan also said the project would take more than just sitting and waiting for businesses to pour in."There was no mention in the story of Adams, Snyder's opponent, and no effort to contact Adams for any kind of response. After seeing The Journal's coverage, Adams issued a press release on the subject, which received no mention at all in The Journal.Reporting on Snyder's Berkeley meeting misleading
Last week, Snyder took his proposal to the Berkeley County Commission, which responded even less favorably than their counterparts in Jefferson, but Journal readers wouldn't know that from the headlines on July 19."Snyder pushes economic plan -- Former state senator discusses alliance with Berkeley County commissioners," blared the headline, with this lead: "County leaders in the Eastern Panhandle are looking to possibly unify their efforts to attract new businesses. Former state Sen. Herb Snyder discussed the possibility of an Economic Alliance Zone with the Berkeley County Commission during the board's weekly meeting Thursday. Snyder was present at the meeting to solicit a letter of support from the County Commission for Gov. Joe Manchin's possible creation of the economic zone."But again, the real response of Berkeley commissioners was finally revealed at the very end of the story."'All of us agree with the importance of economic stimulation,' Commissioner Bill Stubblefield said, 'but are we introducing another level of bureaucracy that we don't need?'""Commissioner Ron Collins said he is worried that the zone would turn into another regional alliance that would eventually become another under-funded mandate for financially strapped counties.""Commissioner Steve Teufel said he needed more information before taking any action. 'I'm reluctant to go in any direction right now,' he said."It appears that a more fitting headline would have been something like, "Commissioners lukewarm to Snyder'sWeeks wins support, coverage as he travels across the state
RUSS WEEKS
Former State Senator Russ Weeks continues to build support and bring attention to his campaign for governor as he criss-crosses the state.In recent days, Weeks has made campaign appearances in Wood, Putnam, Cabell and Berkeley counties, discussing issues with voters and receiving good media attention during his visits. (See reports from WTAP-TV in Parkersburg, a story with a video interview posted at the Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, and the Tom Roten Morning Show on WVHU in Huntington.) On Friday, Weeks stood with picketers at Mildred Mitchell Bateman Hospital in Huntington regarding the poor conditions there.
Weeks also expressed satisfaction that Gov. Joe Manchin heeded his call that the Health Care Authority revise its regulations so hospitals like Raleigh General Hospital and others similarly situated will be permitted to provide a full range of cardiac care for its patients.Gary Howell's remarks at fundraising event
Gary Howell, candidate for the State Senate from the 14th District, addressed attendees at a fundraiser held in Tucker County last week at the home of former Delegate Debbie Stevens. You can watch and listen to his remarks here.
Manchin gains on McGraw in using tax dollars for self promotion during campaign
Attorney General Darrell McGraw might have a slight edge on Gov. Joe Manchin in regard to abusing tax dollars for self-promotion, but the governor seems intent on making up the difference.The latest example of Manchin's self-promotion with taxpayer dollars comes in the form of the new state highway maps issued last week by the Department of Highways. The new maps feature a prominent photo of Manchin sitting astride his motorcycle in front of the governor's mansion.Manchin is not wearing a helmet in the photo, nor is one anywhere to be seen, indicating the governor was more concerned with making sure a great hair day was not wasted in exchange for a strong safety message.For his part, McGraw last week was caught again using tax-paid office items as giveaways at a political exhibit at the Putnam County Fair, a practice which seems to cause little uproar in a state long numb to such abuses.GOP officials say newspaper seems intent on producing pro-Dem coverage
