Sapulpa Herald Controversy

[highschooljim]

Many of you probably heard this, but there has been some controversy about the Sapulpa Herald not reporting that Barack Obama won the Presidential election. Ch. 2 did a story on it and it was picked up bu CNN. The publisher said they didn't report it because they only report "local" news, but yet their had been editorials about the Presidential election where the editor urged readers to watch an internet video of "Barack Hussein Obama" before voting, as well as insinuating that Obama was born in Kenya and is not a U.S. citizen. They also have editorials from the Chief of the Kiefer police, whose website has anti-Obama pictures and sentiment. I was just wanting some thought of people outside of Sapulpa on this issue.

Link to story

Here's a link to the Chief's website images:
http://www.creekcountybeacon.com/gallery.htm

[guido911]

Hey, it's the newspaper's choice. The subscribers will determine if they screwed up.

By the way, it's no secret that Obama prevailed.

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by highschooljim

Many of you probably heard this, but there has been some controversy about the Sapulpa Herald not reporting that Barack Obama won the Presidential election. Ch. 2 did a story on it and it was picked up bu CNN. The publisher said they didn't report it because they only report "local" news, but yet their had been editorials about the Presidential election where the editor urged readers to watch an internet video of "Barack Hussein Obama" before voting, as well as insinuating that Obama was born in Kenya and is not a U.S. citizen. They also have editorials from the Chief of the Kiefer police, whose website has anti-Obama pictures and sentiment. I was just wanting some thought of people outside of Sapulpa on this issue.

Link to story

Here's a link to the Chief's website images:
http://www.creekcountybeacon.com/gallery.htm

yes thank you bubba for bringing this horrendous issue to bear.  It is such a cover up.  Let me guess, you were one of the ones harrassing workers going in just to do their job.  I saw your gang on channel 2 protesting.

[RecycleMichael]

The publisher has a right to do whatever they want. It is clear that he didn't want Obama to win and didn't feel compelled to cover news that he didn't think important to his readers.

Obama's election was historic. Newspapers all over America had record sales of the issue that announced it. It sounds like a missed opportunity to me.

It seems stupid to protest a newspaper for something they didn't cover. I guess these people just really want to embarrass him.

[TUalum0982]

honestly, who cares?  Look at newspapers across the country.  Majority of them have an agenda and will leave out stories that don't fit their "criteria".  This is not news in my opinion.  Like RM said, he probably missed a good opportunity to make some extra coin.  No need to blow this out of proportion.  It is not some major coverup.  It isn't like we needed ANOTHER newspaper to tell us that Obama won.  It was covered well IMO.

[cannon_fodder]

I don't really care... but I see the issue.  Not that the claim held water before, but integrity isn't a big issue.

[waterboy]

What? You guys aren't incensed by the biased media? So cosmopolitan of you to give the press a break when it is media from Pudville who abuses their privilege. A sin of ommission is just as bad as any other.

I don't care whether he covered it or not but his local only excuse was lame. I doubt he only publishes news of local interest. He's not Tulsa People or Urban Tulsa, he's a general interest rag. The Tulsa World could have used the same excuses that it was already common knowledge.

It was so very Okie of him, and disrespectful I might add, to express his anger by not publishing headlines inconsistent with his political leanings, but like you say, its his little party. His punishment is that he will be laughed at and ridiculed by the rest of the country, but we get the coattail effect.

[TeeDub]

I for one live in Sapulpa and I had NO idea who won the election because my local newspaper didn't do a story on it.


Oh, not really...   What a non event.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by TeeDub


I for one live in Sapulpa and I had NO idea who won the election because my local newspaper didn't do a story on it.


Oh, not really...   What a non event.

Its pretty well established that in this day newspapers are not a source of breaking news. Thats not the point. They do, however, provide details that aren't possible in other media. Many people still rely on them (about 40% of this market) for facts and opinion because what they print has to be defensible, ergo more credibility. That leads to better reporters and editors than other media.

This guy used his position to show disrespect for his readers and the president-elect by not even noting who won the race. Journalistically sloppy and indulgent. Even though everyone knew the results, by not repeating them he looks unprofessional. One would guess you think Time and Newsweek didn't need to put him on their covers either.

[Hometown]

Remember Easy Rider and the toothless hillbilly with a gun at the end?  I grew up in Oklahoma and I sure recognized him.

[sgrizzle]

I personally am heartbroken to hear that the beacon of modern journalism known worldwide as "The Sapulpa Herald" might be tarnished in some way. However, I am most surprised to hear that Reagan is leaving office.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by Hometown

Remember Easy Rider and the toothless hillbilly with a gun at the end?  I grew up in Oklahoma and I sure recognized him.

That was my cousin Earl. He didn't suffer hippies too well.[]

[Gold]

I'm not sure the Herald's publisher worried much about subscriprions before or after the election.  I know he doesn't have to worry about my subscription.  There is a journalistic integrity issue in there somewhere, but the field of journalism also has much bigger problems than what this little paper does.

[zstyles]

I am sure time will now stand still in SAPULPA okiehoma...wowie....its a PRIVATE COMPANY I am sure you feel they SHOULD DO what you tell them to do..but that's now how it works RIGHT NOW...maybe in a year or two that will be the case..but not now...

[grahambino]

quote:Originally posted by zstyles

I am sure time will now stand still in SAPULPA okiehoma...wowie....its a PRIVATE COMPANY I am sure you feel they SHOULD DO what you tell them to do..but that's now how it works RIGHT NOW...maybe in a year or two that will be the case..but not now...

so, why did he weasel out and say 'we only cover local news', when that wasn't exactly the truth?