Letter: Don’t skewer cable TV news, when mainstream press
slobbers liberally
Columnist needs dose of reality on the issue of the left-leaning ‘news’ press
Dear Editor,
It was interesting to read Lisa Pampuch’s opinion column in Tuesday’s paper. I applaud her conclusion that there is a problem in American journalism that blurs the line between opinion and news reporting. I am an avid reader and also a supporter of the Constitution of the United States of America.
Unfortunately, many reporters in mainstream newspapers are the real culprits in the crime of using newscasts and news stories to further their political viewpoints. I have to give credit to our local paper’s efforts to separate news and opinion. Though I don’t agree with most columns written by the left-leaning editorial board, I try to see their point. Yet, it certainly would add to the paper’s credibility, and maybe circulation, if there were alternate views presented.
As for Lisa’s opinion about Bill O’Reilly, I have watched his program and read his columns for many years. He has never, in my view, said he is anything but a person who is presenting his opinion. He presents a news story and then presents an opinion, and many times has differing viewpoints from his guest. It is unfortunate that Lisa tries to skewer cable television news outlets. But, that is her opinion. Her column is no different. She takes a news story and offers an opinion. That is what free speech is all about.
However, most opinion writers in the mainstream press, especially the ones with a slobbering love affair for the left-leaning point of view, are more than adept in cloaking their opinions as news. And many times they are uninformed regarding opposing viewpoints.
It sure would be a refreshing “news” event if the mainstream press could investigate why most of our Senators and Congresspersons are not even reading the many of the critical bills they are passing. Lisa accuses Fox News as blurring the line between news and opinion. I suggest she read the New York Times, the Boston Globe, the LA Times, the Washington Post, The Mercury News, and the SF Chronicle to get a good picture of the “reporters” turning news stories into “opinion.”
A friend of mine, Charles “Tremendous” Jones said, “The two things that dramatically affect your life are the books and papers you read and the people you meet.”
Unfortunately, today so many people don’t read enough about what is going on in our government and they are not exposed to a real divergent dialogue on local basis. I encourage Lisa to keep on giving her opinions as long as she is willing to give divergent views a hearing.
John Houghton, Gilroy
