the unnamed writer calls themselves a "reporter"

Is there an unnamed "editor" in the house?

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As a former reporter myself eyeing the current media scene, I suspect that the "gilt by association" of posing as a journalist has been devalued in recent years even more than the dollar.

Random.

I understand people question journalistic ethics. I think they should consume all media with a skeptical mind. I know I do.

But it certainly doesn't help  good journalists improve people's confidence in their work — or newspapers retain readers and draw new consumers to their websites — to have the public's view of the ethical line between ad revenue and the newsroom blurred any more than it is.

I know the ethical wall is strong here at The Californian. But people's perceptions are often their reality.

James

I agree with you that the supplement should've been identified as an advertisement, and I feel it's a form of false advertising not to do so.

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But the recent media furor over Scotty McClellan's on-target, if belated, criticisms is silly.  People have good reason these past ten years or more to take journalism with a pound of salt.  Like the Republicans, the media have a lot of work to do to clean up their *OWN* brand.

I won't argue with you on that, random. Just trying to do my part in my little corner of the journalistic world.

Hey random -- maybe if they media would stop portraying Republicans in the ill-manner that they do, the Republican "brand" wouldn't be viewed by so many as "nasty."

But back to the topic at hand -- Cliff's "supplement" is brilliant as far as campaigns go, but it is a bit over the top.  Ray Watson has a well-reasoned (and might I add lengthy) response to all of Cliff's criticisms.  I think most of Cliff's support is in Frazier Park and the Mountain Communities, anyway...and they don't read the Californian up there...

Now that almost reads as a whine.

I looked through Cliff's 4th District Report. I was not fooled as to what it was in the slightest, but i was annoyed by the presentation of the information almost as if it was written as news. Ray Watson's literature is clear and honest. Looking at this issue alone we can see which candidate is comfortable being honest and which candidate is attempting to use any trick he can think of to gain an advantage.

-Ace

P.S. Just for full disclosure i am a proud Ray Watson supporter.

James, I wouldn't wrap that "flag of  'professional' journalism" too tightly around you. A January, 2008 Sacred Heart University Poll found significantly declining percentages of Americans saying they believe all or most of media news reporting. In the current national poll, just 19.6% of those surveyed could say they believe all or most news media reporting. This is down from 27.4% in 2003. Just under one-quarter, 23.9%, in 2007 said they believe little or none of reporting while 55.3% suggested they believe some media news reporting.

“The fact that an astonishing percentage of Americans see biases and partisanship in their mainstream news sources suggests an active and critical consumer of information in the U.S.” stated James Castonguay, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of SHU’s Department of Media Studies & Digital Culture. “The availability of alternative viewpoints and news sources through the Internet no doubt contributes to the increased skepticism about the objectivity of profit-driven news outlets owned by large conglomerates,” he continued.

The perception is growing among Americans that the news media attempts to influence public opinion – from 79.3% strongly or somewhat agreeing in 2003 to 87.6% in 2007.

James, I applaud you for speaking up. You've hit on something that is also a big pet peeve of mine.

And while the popular thing to do nowadays is cry "bias" -- Several times, I've seen the same story called "liberal" and "conservative," "too Democrat" and "too Republican," "pandering to the left" and "giving in to the right." -- I think it helps when journalists speak out on issues like these.

I thought one the purposes of journalism was to influence the public~ you know things like better health practices,when our government goes haywire etc. Having lived in this town and having read TBC starting from when I could read...this paper has been called right wing,left wing, small town( boy I remember the Woman's section!) and everything in between.  I think  all in all and in a rapidly changing environment the paper does a fine job.

The Californian should probably not agree to insert it in its pages, just because of its timing and confusion. It looks too much like an endorsement for my taste, regardless of how it originated. Let him hire his own delivery people.