Health & Fitness
Hey, Patch Editors: Fairness Begins at Home
Patch editors have some work to do to maintain appearance of fairness and neutraiity.
Dear Patch Editors. Fairness and truth begin at home. Patch has the opportunity to be a neutral voice of information during this Northshore election cycle. But it is failing - intentionally or inadvertently. Here is how.
The way Patch is managing the "flyout's" from the right side of the individual profiles in the 2012 Election Guide has the appearance of impropriety:
For example: on my 2012 Profile as a candiate for State Representative from the 18th district, the flyout promotes my Democratic opponent Robyn Gabel, while the flyout on Gabel's promotes the "2012 Election Guide".
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On Republican Tim Wolfe's profile, the flyout promotes Democrate Laura Fine (not even Tim's opponent, while the flyout on Laura Fine promotes "Election 2012: State Representative for the 17th District in Illinois".
The flyout on Fines opponent, Republican Kyle Frank promotes, once again, Laura Fine, just like the flyout on Wolfe's profile.
Find out what's happening in Wilmette-Kenilworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Meanwhile, the flyout on Wolfe's Democratic opponent, Rep Jan Schakowsky, promotes "Want To Vote in Illinois? Register By Oct. 9"
Finally, the flyout on Republican Candidate Glen Farkas promotes an article about Democratic Elaine Nekritz, while the flyout on that article promotes the "10th Congressional District Race Narrows".
I have a feeling I could do this all day. But the pattern and the point should be clear: the flyouts on Republican profiles promote a specific Democratic candidate, while the flyouts on Democratic candidates do not promote a Republican candidate. Instead, they promote a more general election source.
As they say, "What's Up With That?" Want to maintain your credibility, Patch? Then you will need to put away any biases and treat candidates equally. This may seem like a trivial thing, but it is not. The fabric of truth is made from patches of fairness, neutrality and honesty.
I don't care that much about political parties: they're called parties because they don't work. But, I do care a great deal about fairness and truth.
Eric LiebermanCandidate, State Rep 18th District
P.S. It gets better: as I tried to submit this note to the editors, I was given one of those "enter these two words so we know you are not a computer" boxes. And, what did the flyout on that page point to: Robyn Gabel.
