Fiscal/Social Liberal/Conservative-- Where do you stand?

Fiscal/Social Liberal/Conservative-- Where do you stand?

Most people will agree that they enjoy sipping their hot morning coffee while skimming through their daily newspaper. However, most will also agree that the content and quality of objective news reporting has been a major turn off.

I honestly doubt if all bias can be removed from every story. I do however believe that much can be done to make important and necessary improvements.

Let's review what have been major issues in years past with the reporting of hard news. The number one complaint of this reader is omission of stories that either the left or right object to. Newspaper publishers make a major error in believing that the majority of the potential readership is either left or right.

A few years back, I met a gentleman while attending television production courses. Somehow, we ended up talking about politics. I asked my new friend, “What are you, a liberal or conservative?” I'll never forget his answer, “I'm an American, I don't get into labels.”

If I were the publisher of a fledgling newspaper and the publics perception of my product was, “They're a bunch of liberals,” or, “That's too conservative for me,” I'd have to bank on there being a big enough readership that swung left or right, whatever the case may be. If I'm known to publish a right wing newspaper and a bunch of lefties move into the area, like Montana, I'm in big trouble.

As the publisher of a newspaper that's lost major revenue due to a decrease in advertising and readership, I need to either change my ways or continue on the present course knowing full well that I'm headed for bankruptcy.

This brings me to the point that I'm really wanting all publishers to get. If you really want to increase readership which will in turn increase advertising revenue, you need to forget about left vs. right. The public has grown tired of the old school liberal vs. conservative argument. If you don't believe me, run this poll and print the results.

POLL QUESTION (place actual votes below)

Politically, What Are You?

Fiscal and Social Liberal

Fiscal Liberal and Social Conservative

Fiscal Conservative and Social Liberal

Fiscal and Social Conservative

If the outcome shows that three or more score over 15% each. It's little wonder that a left or right leaning newspaper is in major trouble.

So, how can a newspaper become more, if not totally independent? As with most leadership problems, if you project one image but show another, time and time again, you lose credibility. Any medium with poor credibility will eventually lose the trust and confidence of its consumers.

Is your newspaper in this boat? Take a hard look in the mirror and don't be afraid to print your findings in your publication. Ask your readers what they think?

If I were in your boat, here's what I would change. And I'd do it, especially during election season. Take a close view into your editorial board. Make every attempt possible to balance your editors with those who lean left, right and independent. If your board has trouble staying in balance, load it with independents.

Months prior to any primary election. Run editorials calling for independent candidates to step up and run for office. Let these individuals know that they're welcome and won't be ignored. In fact, let everybody know that if the front running candidates from the left and the right attempt to snub or ignore any credible independents seeking the same political position, you'll not only report it, but hammer them for doing so.

As the publisher, lead by example. Demand political diversity by realizing that the majority of your readers aren't far left or far right. You should make these same demands to the Associated Press and other news gathering organizations. If for example it's fall of 2010 and were getting close to the presidential primary season. Representative Ron Paul has caught wind that diversity is in the air and he decides to run as an independent and chooses Kucinich as his running mate or, the other way around. Don't slam the door as many media companies have done in the past. A ticket such as this example would certainly be credible enough to be allowed into the process to include the presidential debates.

Speaking of presidential debates. Don't let any of the participants know any of the questions going in. Make the debates longer and allow the candidates to question each other. The debates of the past are a joke. If we're going to continue with the Commission on Presidential Debates, do as I've recommended for the editorial board, include an equal number of independents on the commission.

At the congressional level, in years past, independent candidates look far and wide for the opportunity to debate the front running candidates. They're nowhere to be found. What events the independents get invited to, the front runners are somewhere else hosting extravagant fund raising dinners and could care less if some candidate forum in some poe-dunk city is taking place or not. Cover these events and hammer the front runners for dodging the real issues that these candidates are wanting to debate.

Real election coverage that's open and inclusive to all credible candidates. Real issues and questions being discussed. I believe that this is what the people want to see in their daily newspapers. If the RNC and the DNC don't like it, too bad. There's nothing in the US or State Constitutions that says they have a monopoly on our electoral process.

So, there you have it. Be open, honest, objective. If anybody says something stupid, grill them for it. If anybody says something smart, thank them for it. The publisher shouldn't care if the person leans left, right or, no thanks, I'm an American, I don't claim to be associated with either of those institutions.

Pull this off and I can almost guarantee that your credibility will soar. Toss in an equal number of independent OpEd's and you'll soar even higher. Think outside the box. Don't worry about K-Street, Wall Street or Main Street reaction. Consumers of media and the products or services your advertisers sell are going out to people who you must respect. These people, by and large consider themselves independent and are well beyond the left right mantra.

Steven Thompson

Independent News Services

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