Reader alleges 'bias;' Editor responds
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To the editor:
Mr. Ryan, I understand the fact that you run a biased, right-leaning newspaper.
Perhaps you actually believe that ideology, and/or are just trying to appeal to Republicans who are the majority of Highland County.
But what I don’t understand is why you devote so much ink to non-residents of Highland County.
Surely, since 2/3 of our county voted for Bush, there must be plenty of residents you can depend upon to support your positions.
I understand the need for diverse discussion to arrive at an individual understanding of a certain position or another. But is it really necessary to solicit or reprint articles and opinions from so many non-residents? Do Highland County residents really need to hear from a doctor/author from Tucson, Ariz.? Do we need to hear from a state representative who lives in Wellston and does not represent Highland County residents? Do really need to hear from a lawyer from Kentucky? (If we do, we can always listen to the ‘bulldog’ bark on a Cincinnati radio station).
I’m sure there are many Highland County residents with opinions and ideas similar to yours, so instead of only offering one or sometimes two opinions in the paper, you could perhaps devote more space to Highland County residents, they’ll cover your back won’t they?
Having said that, I want you to know that it is appreciated when you publish the occasional opinion that you perhaps don’t agree with. You may be biased but you do seem to be somewhat fair.
Sincerely,
Ken Rentz
Hillsboro
(Editor's response:)
Mr. Rentz,
Thank you for reading The Highland County Press and thanks for concluding that I seem to be "somewhat" fair!
Now, to address your allegations and questions. First, if you can provide any evidence of bias in our news reporting, please do so. We take great pains to report the county's news in a fair and accurate manner. Quite frankly, you will not provide evidence of biased reporting for one simple reason: There isn't any.
Your concerns seem to center around our Opinion and Commentary sections. Please understand there is a reason for the Page Header "Opinion and Commentary." We have offered opinions, understandably biased and otherwise, from the Right, the Left and the Center. We have had a weekly columnist who was a self-described Liberal. We have had columnists who are Central Committee members of the Democratic Party. We have published columns from Ohio's Democrat U.S. senator, Sherrod Brown (on those rare occasions when he submits one), and from Ohio's Republican U.S. senators, George Voinovich and now Rob Portman. We have published columns from Sen. James Webb, a Democrat from Virginia. The fact that we have published more from the Republicans senators is because they have submitted more columns. We also published Democrat President Obama's State of the Union Address in its entirety.
That's an awful lot of opinions from a lot of Democrats in this "biased, right-leaning" newspaper, to say nothing of the numerous letters we've published from readers of any and all political persuasions.
Is it really necessary to hear from Rep. John Carey? Of course it isn't necessary. But knowing that I can always count on a timely and informative column from Mr. Carey, I asked him to continue to submit his weekly columns to The Highland County Press. For the record, I also invited Highland County's new state representative, Cliff Rosenberger, to write a weekly column. Thus far, we have not received a column from Mr. Rosenberger.
Do Highland County residents really need to hear from a doctor/author from Tucson, Ariz.? Of course not. But Dr. Jane Orient also offers timely and informative writings that many of our readers seem to enjoy.
Do really need to hear from a lawyer from Kentucky? Why not? We just heard from a lawyer from Chicago and no one complained about that. Besides, Eric Deters' columns are almost as popular as mine!
As far as "devoting more space to Highland County residents," the record will show that our newspaper and this website devote more space to Highland County than any other medium, period.
Rest assured, we appreciate your interest in The Highland County Press. However, our editorial content has been and will continue to be a formula for success. So don't expect any changes.
Thanks for reading.
– RR[[In-content Ad]]
Mr. Ryan, I understand the fact that you run a biased, right-leaning newspaper.
Perhaps you actually believe that ideology, and/or are just trying to appeal to Republicans who are the majority of Highland County.
But what I don’t understand is why you devote so much ink to non-residents of Highland County.
Surely, since 2/3 of our county voted for Bush, there must be plenty of residents you can depend upon to support your positions.
I understand the need for diverse discussion to arrive at an individual understanding of a certain position or another. But is it really necessary to solicit or reprint articles and opinions from so many non-residents? Do Highland County residents really need to hear from a doctor/author from Tucson, Ariz.? Do we need to hear from a state representative who lives in Wellston and does not represent Highland County residents? Do really need to hear from a lawyer from Kentucky? (If we do, we can always listen to the ‘bulldog’ bark on a Cincinnati radio station).
I’m sure there are many Highland County residents with opinions and ideas similar to yours, so instead of only offering one or sometimes two opinions in the paper, you could perhaps devote more space to Highland County residents, they’ll cover your back won’t they?
Having said that, I want you to know that it is appreciated when you publish the occasional opinion that you perhaps don’t agree with. You may be biased but you do seem to be somewhat fair.
Sincerely,
Ken Rentz
Hillsboro
(Editor's response:)
Mr. Rentz,
Thank you for reading The Highland County Press and thanks for concluding that I seem to be "somewhat" fair!
Now, to address your allegations and questions. First, if you can provide any evidence of bias in our news reporting, please do so. We take great pains to report the county's news in a fair and accurate manner. Quite frankly, you will not provide evidence of biased reporting for one simple reason: There isn't any.
Your concerns seem to center around our Opinion and Commentary sections. Please understand there is a reason for the Page Header "Opinion and Commentary." We have offered opinions, understandably biased and otherwise, from the Right, the Left and the Center. We have had a weekly columnist who was a self-described Liberal. We have had columnists who are Central Committee members of the Democratic Party. We have published columns from Ohio's Democrat U.S. senator, Sherrod Brown (on those rare occasions when he submits one), and from Ohio's Republican U.S. senators, George Voinovich and now Rob Portman. We have published columns from Sen. James Webb, a Democrat from Virginia. The fact that we have published more from the Republicans senators is because they have submitted more columns. We also published Democrat President Obama's State of the Union Address in its entirety.
That's an awful lot of opinions from a lot of Democrats in this "biased, right-leaning" newspaper, to say nothing of the numerous letters we've published from readers of any and all political persuasions.
Is it really necessary to hear from Rep. John Carey? Of course it isn't necessary. But knowing that I can always count on a timely and informative column from Mr. Carey, I asked him to continue to submit his weekly columns to The Highland County Press. For the record, I also invited Highland County's new state representative, Cliff Rosenberger, to write a weekly column. Thus far, we have not received a column from Mr. Rosenberger.
Do Highland County residents really need to hear from a doctor/author from Tucson, Ariz.? Of course not. But Dr. Jane Orient also offers timely and informative writings that many of our readers seem to enjoy.
Do really need to hear from a lawyer from Kentucky? Why not? We just heard from a lawyer from Chicago and no one complained about that. Besides, Eric Deters' columns are almost as popular as mine!
As far as "devoting more space to Highland County residents," the record will show that our newspaper and this website devote more space to Highland County than any other medium, period.
Rest assured, we appreciate your interest in The Highland County Press. However, our editorial content has been and will continue to be a formula for success. So don't expect any changes.
Thanks for reading.
– RR[[In-content Ad]]