Posting an endorsement in online media will continue to be free.
It would appear that the Westfield Leader is taking advantage of campaigns flush with cash that are willing to dole out money to have letters of support appear in the paper, while deliberately censoring campaigns that don’t.
Local resident and NJ Assemblyman Jon Bramnick is seeking re-election this year and has long been a power player in local and state politics. Some rumors circling have him eyeing a future run for NJ governor. Bramnick’s campaign “war chest” is flush with cash that could potentially be used to fund political endorsement letters.
Political endorsement letters are not to be confused with political campaign advertisements that appear in the news paper and online and traditionally require a fee like any other advertisement.
So, if you want to sit down and write an endorsement of your favorite candidate for local, county, or state government this fall, get out the checkbook because it’s going to cost you. This is something never seen before and puts a whole new spin on the old political saying “Pay to Play”
Oh, and if that isn’t bad enough, the Leader also states, “We publish letters to the editor in the printed newspaper on issues of importance to our readers at the discretion of the editors.” If that isn’t censorship, what is?
The Westfield Leader has long been known for its “editorial censorship” by shortening letters to the editor claiming space limitations in the paper and arbitrarily assigning titles to letters to the editor submitted by trades, that don’t always convey the authors intent.
A Westfield Town Council candidate in this year’s local election, Republican Rich Bodmer, is no stranger to endorsements. In fact, the Westfield Leader endorsed his race car with its name emblazoned on the vehicles front hood.
Wait, what?
ReplyDeleteIs this a practice done anywhere else? I’ve never heard of this. We need to blow this right up, like now. I’ll personally call or tweet to get this on the national news.
There are several possible reasons for this:
ReplyDeletePaul Peyton wants a raise from his measly minimum-wage.
David Corbin needs a new camera after breaking his at a baseball game.
Rob needs membership fees for weight watchers.
Horace needs more booze money.
So for a political endorsement in their editorial page it must be paid? Does that mean they will censor dems or liberals?
ReplyDeleteIt means they will no longer publish endorsements unless you line the newspaper’s pockets. If Jane or John Doe wants to write an endorsement of a candidate, they must pay up. I guess the publisher is still upset over the last local election results.
ReplyDelete