The Times-Union generally devotes the last week before an election to offering its endorsements.
The endosements, like other editorials, represent the corporate view of the newspaper. They do not influence news coverage, nor do they necessarily represent the views of all of the staff.
The process of endorsing candidates is a mystery for many readers. I recently asked Editorial Page Editor Lloyd Brown to explain.
Q. What is the Times-Union looking for in a candidate? How is a decision finalized?
A. We do what voters do, or would if they had the time. We read their campaign material and news stories about them. We also interview them. We look at educational background, experience in politics and civic involvement. Of course, we also look at their positions on issues we think are important. The editorial board meets and decides which candidates to recommend.
Q. Do you have any evidence that Times-Union endorsements sway votes? (A previous Times-Union article reported that endorsements of all kinds have questionable influence).
A. No, and we don’t look for any. We are offering recommendations, not sending down pronouncements from Mount Olympus. Voters should make their own choices, giving our recommendations whatever weight they believe is warranted.
Q. Why would you sometimes endorse several candidates or none?
A. In some races between two or more well-qualified candidates, we can’t in good conscience say one clearly would be better. Or, rarely, none of the candidates in a race may be suitable, in our view. Paying a qualifying fee does not automatically make you qualified to hold public office.
My comments: A few newspapers have stopped offering endorsements, but I think that is pulling your punches. If the editorial page takes strong stances, as it should, many endorsements will be obvious. From this listening post, readers often ask for the Times-Union’s endorsements on lesser-known races or referenda that have received little news coverage.
Listening to readers
* For many months, readers have been asking the Times-Union to start listing two new movie channels found on cable: Hallmark and Women’s Entertainment. Finally, we came up with a way to add the new channels without dropping any. Readers with VCRPlus will need the setup numbers. Hallmark is 23, WE is 81.
* In a previous column, I wrote that the Times-Union’s Web site could use improved election information. Much has been added. You can find the complete text of constitutional amendments, sample ballots for Duval County, previous news stories and more. Go to Election 2002.
Photo questioned
The main photo on B-1 last Sunday showed two girls playing on a gravestone in the foreground while Civil War re-enactors stood at attention in the background. A ceremony was under way that marked the return of the remains of a Confederate veteran. Six readers objected to the photo. “Shame on The Times -Union for using a picture that mocked the event,” Faye Irvin said.
My comment: I agree. By using that photo so prominently, the Times-Union made the girls’ behavior bigger than the event.
Gun control loophole
An Oct. 23 news story referred to a “so-called gun control loophole,” but didn’t explain what it is. The issue involves gun shows in which federally licensed dealers are required to perform background checks, but not private parties. The term “loophole” is favored by gun control advocates and ought to be avoided in objective news stories in the same way that loaded terms in the abortion debate are avoided.
