MAJOR NEWSPAPER GIVES HOW-TO CLASS TO REPUBLICANS ON ENDORSEMENTS

[Liberty Belle]

I received the following very disturbing note from a friend. If you find it offensive for the only major daily newspaper in America’s 6th largest city to become a blatant propaganda arm for a political party without even a pretext of fairness, please contact [e-mail] You may send commentaries to Community Opinion Editor Blanca Gonzalez at [e-mail]. . It would also be helpful to urge groups such as FAIR, Free Press, Common Cause, League of Women Voters, etc. to denounce this, if anyone has contacts there.

Here is my friend's email:

“San Diego's daily newspaper, the U-T, has gone completely Republican Propaganda Machine. It was always right leaning, but now that hotelier, Doug Manchester (who put a large amount of funding into Prop. 8) and hired right-wing radio owner as CEO it has become a powerful tool of the right wing. In a Press conference Manchester and Lynch said they had every intention of using their newspaper to spread their political philosophy. The non-transferable invitation copied below from the head of the San Diego County Republican Party explains how to get an endorsement from the Union-Tribune. This invitation along with this morning's U-T literally have made me sick…” [my note: Manchester also donated the max to Romney and ran an endorsement of Romney on the front page!]

More from SD CityBeat on its competitor's slide into propaganda.....

'New' U-T San Diego PR machine

From SDCityBeat.

Invite from GOP leader describes newspaper as a 'one-stop shop' for political candidates

By Kelly Davis

As we put it in this week's editorial, the U-T San Diego's editorial board "has become an embarrassing media arm of the Republican Party." Highlight that ,underline it and add a bunch of stars, because the invite below trumps it all—even the new "U-TSeeing Red" website.
= = = = =
You are cordially invited to join Chairman Tony Krvaric
and the Republican Party of San Diego County for an exciting evening at
the new U-T San Diego: A One-Stop Shop for Candidates
PROGRAM
Welcome and introductory remarks by John Lynch, Vice Chairman & CEO
Media Savvy: How to get noticed by the press, how to craft a press release
Editorial Board Q&A: Who are they, how do they decide what to write about, how does one get endorsed?
Meet the Editor
The new U-T San Diego:learn about this innovative new media company right in our own back yard – a"one-stop shop" for candidates
Tour of the U-T TV studio and the new newsroom with Roger Hedgecock
Networking and refreshments in the Auto Museum
Tuesday, September 11, 2012, 6-8 PM
Manchester Boardroom
U-T San Diego
350 Camino De La Reina
San Diego, California 92108
Business Attire – Invitation is Non-Transferable
Please R.S.V.P. by Friday, September 7 to Ms. Mary Hart
at [phone] or [e-mail]


My friend also offered these observations on how the news coverage has tanked since Manchester, a hotel developer, bought the newspaper:

“The day after the Republican Convention, the U-T was a love fest for Romney and Ryan. The day after the Democratic Convention readers were were greeted with the following articles…:
1. Obama can't obscure gap between his record, Rhetoric
2. America desperately needs relief from a President who believes government always knows best
3. Democratic Folly
4. Democrats Flunk the 'Better Off' Question
5. A clever Bumper sticker can't obscure that real median income has declined $4,300 since January 2009
6. Romney for Recovery: Strong America means Peaceful World
7. If the U.S. Economy continues to stagnate, then predictions of an American retreat from greatness could come true.
8. Romney explains Afghan Omission. …affirms support for troops.
AND
9. A smiling Elephant in the front page masthead
10. Yet another full page ad for "Obama's America." (The Obama hate movie)

[Maraya1969]

1. OK I just sent this

Dear Blanca Gonzalez:

It is with a sincere disgust that I write you about the propaganda that you print out and call a, "newspaper".

I just saw your email for your "One-Stop Shop for Candidates Program".

Reputable newspaper editors study candidates and base their endorsement on that candidate's abilities to govern. You are selling to the highest bidders.

Not to mention that your newspaper is a biased right arm of the Republican party. That is obvious by just looking at your titles.

I thought newspaper editors had to have at least some college behind them and learn the basics of journalism. Maybe you did at some point but I must say you are in dire need of a refresher course.

Sincerely

[grantcart]

2. It has become unreadable.

[nolabels]

3. Can you smell the desperation in the air?

The republicans have been trying to buy California for years and their goal seems to get further away every day. Obama has helped all of us on the blue side of the state understand our strength in our unity.