Newspapers have been endorsing political figures for over a century, but now is the time to stop.
What is newsworthy about repeating the platforms of presidential candidates in a positive light? While these affirmations are editorials written by a single figure, they can easily be interpreted as the residing opinion of the entire publication and they ought to be. Whenever a senior staff member publishes a piece, it’s regarded highly because that writer has a firm grasp on the ideals and purposes of his/her newspaper and the writing is going to (hopefully) strongly reflect that.
Yet, concerning issues as controversial as political races, it is not only ridiculous to blatantly propose an entire corporation shares the same beliefs, but, also, it is unfair and misleading to the readers, who come to the publication for news, not ads.
It is the journalist’s job to report information clearly and as objectively as possible. Op-eds and columns serve a fine job of pointing out a different side and adding color to an otherwise black and white paper, but there is a reason why they are often separate from the news staff or written under a pseudonym so as to not give any misconceptions about the publication’s integrity and neutrality.
A paper’s media coverage should already sufficiently report on the nominees’ political stances and plans and that is the only material that a reader should have in mind when casting their vote. Too often does society already get swept up in comments from celebrities or even friends that lead people to change their mind. Such statements are not necessary from a supposedly impartial publication.
