Pay To Play Media?
Second tier Mayoral candidate Walter Moore makes a potentially explosive charge in a recent email missive to supporters - that the editorial director of a local newspaper implied to Moore that if he bought advertising in their paper, he would receive more editorial coverage. The newspaper official mentioned ads purchased by fellow candidates Bob Hertzberg and Richard Alacron. It must be noted that Moore is not referring to the LA Times, Daily News or other major newspaper, but the neighborhood publisher, Arroyo Seco News Group. Still, Moore's charges are disturbing when you consider the potential implications.
When NBC's Channel 4 excluded me from the so-called mayoral debate --
the "debate" the League of Women Voters denied sponsoring -- one of my
colleagues said the media only want to cover candidates with enough
money to buy advertising from them. I thought he was kidding.
However, now that I've deposited $100,000 into my campaign fund, I'm
learning that he was right! Case in point: today I got an e-mail from
the "Editorial Director" of the "Arroyo Seco News Group." Not the
sales manager, mind you, but the "Editorial Director." As some of you
know, I became the first person to file to run against Hahn back in
August 2003, but the first time I heard from this guy was today -- just
days after two papers published stories on my six-figure war chest. So
this "Editorial Director" writes to me, not to ask about my platform,
but to urge me to buy advertising in his newspaper. And it gets
better! Rather than simply telling me his rates or circulation
figures, he implied that if I bought advertising, his paper would start
covering me: "Our last issue featured a look at the major mayoral
candidates, but we are interested in including your candidacy in our
coverage." He also mentioned that Alarcon and Hertzberg had both
bought ads in his paper. So "pay to play" isn't just for crooked
politicians anymore! Now the media are hinting that they're willing to
do their job (i.e., report the news) -- provided you're willing to buy
advertising. Very nice. Doesn't that just give you a warm feeling
about the Fourth Estate and journalistic professionalism? Me, too.
Hey, I wonder how much it costs to get an endorsement?
Thoughts?
Posted by Mayor Sam @ 12/16/2004 05:11:00 PM
6 Comments:
Doesn't surprise me one bit Hertzberg and Alaracon are involved in this. What dumb responses to the press Bob made yesterday about AFL-CIO. Really really stupid remarks about the union and not showing up. Parks was another idiot. If thought so little of the union's interview process why did he even show up?
walter. the editorial director of the arroyo seco newspaper IS the sales manager! and the sports reporter, and the photographer, and the layout artist, and the car reviewer, and the delivery boy. explosive charge? i don't think so. but at least mayor sam was dopey enough to give it some space.
From: Spring Street Philosopher
Don't give Mayor Sam too hard of a time. He makes a good point. Yes, its probably not as explosive as the Editor of the LA Times suggesting this, but if these publications want to present themselves as credible, they shouldn't do crap like this NOR should they be asking for city money. Several community papers have got CRA money to keep them afloat and wind up writing pro-deveopment stories. NoHo LA is one I know for sure was given a grant when I worked for CRA.
Walter grow up. Unless you get some dough from Enron, you're second tier.
Is the real Walter Moore posting comments or just an imposter? Cause if that is the REAL Walter Moore then somebody really needs to grow up. I would think somebody with an educated background such as yourself could eloquently state that you feel you are better than Villaraigosa when it comes to taking the bar exam. Shouldn't u be focusing on policy difference rather than name calling....Walter, Walter, Walter...give it a rest.
Just to be clear. We never offered Mr. Moore editorial coverage in exchange for advertising. Nor did we offer any to Mr. Viillaraigosa, who we endorsed, and who did not buy advertising. Nor Mr. Hertzberg, who did buy advertising and received the same coverage as other major candidates. In an attempt to balance our news coverage. I personally invited Mr. Moore to appear on live television with me before the election to discuss his candidacy. The ever-petulant Mr. Moore refused.
Edward Rivera-- Arroyo Seco Journal
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