Paper’s liberal bias showing

As a retired news editor, I know that what is left out of a story can be as critical as what is eventually printed or broadcast. The principles of honesty, fairness and objectivity are paramount. There is also an element of interest. What is it about a story that would be of interest to the reader or viewer? Sadly, the Herald-Leader fails on so many fronts and so many times. The Aug. 13 article regarding Hillary Clinton’s release of her income tax return is the latest example.

The story is factual. And, the fact she released the return puts her in a positive light. Wow, what a generous person she must be by donating more than $1 million to charity. This is where the “leaving out certain facts” comes into play. The reader is not informed that $1 million was donated to the Clinton Foundation. Why wouldn’t your editor think that fact is “interesting”? Was it because it would put Clinton in a bad light?

I have been reading the Herald-Leader since we moved here five years ago. There is no reasonable doubt that the Herald-Leader goes out of its way in its news pages to minimize damage to those on the left, while highlighting the alleged sins of those on right.

This story was originally published August 30, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Paper’s liberal bias showing."