February 26, 2008 - 1:39pm
News

Should newspapers identify party affiliation of Op-Ed writers?

Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney, a Democrat, has proposed some regionalization of local government services, which prompted The Record to run a pair of Op-Ed items from small-town Mayors who oppose the possible challenge to their home rule.  Should the newspaper have noted that both the Mayors -- Sophie Heymann of Closter and George Fosdick of Ridgefield Park -- are registered Republicans?

WALLY EDGE can be reached via email at politicsnj@aol.com.

Comments

Yes - And Also The Newspaper's Editors & Reporters


There should be full disclosure as to the political affiliations of all involved in the News Industry.

Far too often, editors of newspapers write biased articles, hiding behind the cloak of neutrality and objectivity, when truly they aren't. (Though some newspaper editors are blatantly obvious as to whom they are aligned with or favor.)

02/26/08 2:06 pm

One problem


I agree with this idea, but there will be one hitch.  The printing press will have to re-supply the "D" with inkmore often than the other letters

--Saint Joe--

02/26/08 2:19 pm

Of course. Objectivity is a myth anyway.


Everybody should lay their cards out on the table, and declare where their loyalties lie.

I'd also like to see newscasters rated by several groups according to their liberal or conservative (left or right) views, along with a "libertarian quotient" which measures how far they believe the government should, or should not, intrude to enforce their political position.

They do "ratings" now with politicians.  Why not news casters and op-ed writers?

Full disclosure.  If we think it's important to disclose financial relationships, why not ideological leanings?

People are too sneaky.  How about NPR calling Daniel Schorr an "analyst."  Analyst?  He's a propagandist.

 NPR's news show "On Point" with Tom Ashbrook calls Jack Beatty a "news analyst."  He is NOT.  He's a left-wing sharpshooter, a spin machine from the Atlantic Monthly, who never passes up the opportunity to savage anybody to the right of Fidel Castro.  "Analyst."

The 4th Estate has been replaced by the 5th Column, and people have a right to know where these jokers really stand. 

02/26/08 3:06 pm

Is he kidding me?


Has the Bergen County Executive authored any of his speeches in the last 5 years?

Are we to believe he writes his own speeches or press releases?

Why doesn't he identify who wrote his "state of the county" speech?

Now that would be something to talk about.

 

This guy hasn't had an original thought since elected to public office. 

 

 

02/26/08 3:33 pm

Newspapers


Well, we already know that 95% of them are Democrats.   Usually Republicans have real jobs that are productive.

I guess you could required the Democrats to disclose if they are either Socialist Traitors, aka - Liberals 

or just Godless Communist, aka - Progressives.

02/26/08 3:53 pm

Barber.


I think everyone should identfy their party affiliation at all times. let's follow thw iraqi model. The pinky on their right hand should be permanently colored "red" or "blue" at 18 years old. If you want to change your affiliation...well a committee should convene in each county to hear any changes, then....oh. You can figure out the rest. Why were there no barbers as the most influential people in the state?

02/26/08 3:59 pm