As a five-year citizen of Peachtree City, I frequently read your newspaper both in print form (usually on the front porch, Saturday morning while enjoying coffee) or online. I find your newspaper to be an excellent source for local news. When I hear of something happening I immediately go online to Thecitizen.com to verify the information, and I have confidence that your information is accurate. In fact, I can’t think of any major mistakes your newspaper made in the years I’ve been reading it.
However, your newspaper is politically biased. Your editorial page is unbalanced. The columns, editorials and cartoons never look at both sides of a political issue, only one side.
While many will make the argument that most of the media is biased, it still doesn’t make it right for journalists to present an issue from one side only. In fact, it’s entirely unprofessional.
The current idea in America that a right-leaning newspaper will compensate for a left-leaning newspaper is not only a false idea, but is very disingenuous and certainly cynical.
Journalists should report the news, unbiased. Then, in the editorial section of a newspaper, a political issue should be addressed with two opinions given, one from each side of the issue. This is the professional way journalists present their newspaper.
We all can make excuses for The Citizen by saying, “Well, look at CNN,” or, “Look at Fox” or, “Everyone is biased.”
These are not only tired excuses but lame excuses. Someone needs to set the right standard. I wish it was you, because you’re my local source for information and commentary. I trust you with the news. Please show me that I can trust you with political commentary.
The only television source I can think of that presents unbiased news is The News Hour with Jim Lehrer [on PBS]. They give the straight news each evening, and when they present commentary they always say, “and now for some commentary.” Then they bring in experts (rational and polite experts) from both sides.
They don’t push sensationalist, yellow-journalism like CNN, Fox and the other news organizations. They don’t shout, whine, or use terms like “lamestream media” or “feminazis” to get their point across.
Many people consider The News Hour to be boring and dry. I prefer to think of them as professional journalists who are rational, unbiased, and mature.
It really isn’t that complicated. Present the news. Present the commentary. Provide both sides of every story. Let the readers decide.
Mike Fairbanks
Peachtree City, Ga.
