Mercury News Doesn’t Let Anyone Bury Their Hatchets
Mercury News Doesn’t Let Anyone Bury Their Hatchets
Editor,
“Hatchet job” – a maliciously destructive critique or act (such as: “The San Jose Mercury News did a hatchet job on San Benito County”).
One often hears about bias and inaccuracy in the media, but you have to see it in action to fully appreciate the power of the reporter’s nudge; take some facts, leave out many, adopt a slant, sensationalize, mix thoroughly, serve out of context, and what do you have? I don’t know, but it’s certainly not the whole story.
Call me suspicious, but I stopped believing in convenient coincidences long ago; I doubt the timing of this series, hard after the most recent election, was mere chance. Too much of it sounds like old axes to grind. There has been some nasty politics hereabouts, but that hardly makes us unique; however, as far as I know, there is not a scintilla of evidence that the criminal attack on the District Attorney’s dogs was politically motivated. If there is any evidence to the contrary, it’s the best-kept secret since the invasion of Europe.
I have often publicly criticized both sides for the nasty and overly personal tone of our local disagreements and, this is just another good reason to do so. There are those who cannot tolerate a wounded ego; I learned long ago not to provide them with ammunition for they will use all they have indiscriminately.
I hope the Mercury News’ poor excuse for balanced reporting serves as an object lesson in that regard.
Marty Richman
Hollister
