Independant 9/22/04
The Middle Road
By Rich Kohler
September 22, 2004
On Friday, September 26, I joined the Middletown Township Democratic Party in their protest of Greater Media’s Independent weekly newspaper. The democrats were there to protest what they perceived as that paper’s attempts to influence municipal elections in the Bayshore area, specifically in Middletown. I was there to support them, because I noticed a similar situation in Hazlet.
I have followed many issues in Hazlet, including the over development of Middle Road, the sewerage authority and last year’s library/town hall fiasco. The Independent’s reports on these issues repeatedly omitted relevant and on-the-record facts.
As I read the coverage of these stories in the local media, I began to notice that the Independent reflected a decided slant toward the side of the Hazlet Democrats.
Last year, our township’s library commission opposed a plan put forth by the Democratic leadership. The plan would have closed our library for more than two years and cost the taxpayers millions more than the township committee was willing to admit. Reporters from the Courier and the Asbury Park Press were eager to hear the details of our opposing perspective.
Knowing that the Independent is delivered free to nearly every home in Hazlet, we attempted to contact their reporter to present our concerns. After leaving many messages, a reporter finally contacted me.
During this interview, the reporter argued with our library committee’s analysis of the projected costs of a new library. She also suggested that we not waste our time, because the township had already decided to go ahead with their plan.
Due to the subsequent diligence of the library patrons, concerned citizens, and the fair reporting of the Courier and the Asbury Park Press, the township eventually scrapped their flawed plan. Hazlet’s library remains open.
Last month, the Independent ran an editorial announcing their new policy for general letters of endorsement. It stated “we will accept them from citizens who are not directly involved in a politician’s campaign.”
Editorial letters about issues of local governments will often balance news stories that fail to divulge political motivations accurately or thoroughly. Often, a sitting politician, political appointee, or an un-elected party official will respond. The responses often reveal the character and opinion of the letter writer. This back and forth dialogue allows the citizens to see not only both sides of an issue, but the reactions and demeanor of those involved in our communities.
I am registered as an Independent. I have had conversations and worked with Democrats and Republicans on various issues, campaign related and otherwise. What does this mean to my status? How does the Independent know who is involved with each campaign, in every municipality within their coverage area?
Every citizen with comments and opinions deserves to have a voice in their local paper. The purpose of an op-ed section is to ask questions and present facts that news stories did not cover.
A newspaper that presents subjective news stories and establishes censoring policy for its opinion pages, does not deserve to use the moniker: Independent. They should consider changing the name of their paper to the Suppressed.
By Rich Kohler
September 22, 2004
On Friday, September 26, I joined the Middletown Township Democratic Party in their protest of Greater Media’s Independent weekly newspaper. The democrats were there to protest what they perceived as that paper’s attempts to influence municipal elections in the Bayshore area, specifically in Middletown. I was there to support them, because I noticed a similar situation in Hazlet.
I have followed many issues in Hazlet, including the over development of Middle Road, the sewerage authority and last year’s library/town hall fiasco. The Independent’s reports on these issues repeatedly omitted relevant and on-the-record facts.
As I read the coverage of these stories in the local media, I began to notice that the Independent reflected a decided slant toward the side of the Hazlet Democrats.
Last year, our township’s library commission opposed a plan put forth by the Democratic leadership. The plan would have closed our library for more than two years and cost the taxpayers millions more than the township committee was willing to admit. Reporters from the Courier and the Asbury Park Press were eager to hear the details of our opposing perspective.
Knowing that the Independent is delivered free to nearly every home in Hazlet, we attempted to contact their reporter to present our concerns. After leaving many messages, a reporter finally contacted me.
During this interview, the reporter argued with our library committee’s analysis of the projected costs of a new library. She also suggested that we not waste our time, because the township had already decided to go ahead with their plan.
Due to the subsequent diligence of the library patrons, concerned citizens, and the fair reporting of the Courier and the Asbury Park Press, the township eventually scrapped their flawed plan. Hazlet’s library remains open.
Last month, the Independent ran an editorial announcing their new policy for general letters of endorsement. It stated “we will accept them from citizens who are not directly involved in a politician’s campaign.”
Editorial letters about issues of local governments will often balance news stories that fail to divulge political motivations accurately or thoroughly. Often, a sitting politician, political appointee, or an un-elected party official will respond. The responses often reveal the character and opinion of the letter writer. This back and forth dialogue allows the citizens to see not only both sides of an issue, but the reactions and demeanor of those involved in our communities.
I am registered as an Independent. I have had conversations and worked with Democrats and Republicans on various issues, campaign related and otherwise. What does this mean to my status? How does the Independent know who is involved with each campaign, in every municipality within their coverage area?
Every citizen with comments and opinions deserves to have a voice in their local paper. The purpose of an op-ed section is to ask questions and present facts that news stories did not cover.
A newspaper that presents subjective news stories and establishes censoring policy for its opinion pages, does not deserve to use the moniker: Independent. They should consider changing the name of their paper to the Suppressed.
posted by Rich Kohler at 6:44 PM
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