Open Letter to the Media

This morning on the radio I heard a news story saying that Rick Lazio is now ahead of Gov. Patterson in the latest polls. Already we are into reporting the “horse race” rather than information that is useful to deciding whom we want to vote for. Please, rather than grabbing the latest poll as a headline story, do a bit of digging. Interview the candidates and report on their positions, their solutions to problems that face society. Press them for real proposals not just broad stroke party ideology. Report on their speeches and make note if they change their message for different audiences. When there is an opportunity to directly question candidates, confront them on anything vague or inconsistent. Lastly tell us who is funding their campaign. Please be journalists, not just conduits for political spin.