Stop using news stories from East Coast sources, reader suggests
Robert Porter of Wildwood — in a letter to the editor published Wednesday on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Opinion Page — requests that we stop using news articles produced by “east coast liberals.” He calls for us to use more “Midwestern sources.”
Porter calls the New York Times “left-leaning” — a view certainly shared by many others. But his letter indicates a general distrust of East Coast media overall as liberal.
His letter:
Midwest articles
I object to the article “Palin reveals GOP in disarray” (July 5). First, the article was presented as “news,” but it clearly was analysis from the view of left-leaning New York Times. I wish the Post-Dispatch would stop printing articles that clearly are the views of east coast liberals who clearly do not understand (nor are they interested in) the views and values of the Midwest.
The Post-Dispatch should seek out Midwestern sources and opinions, print news as news and opinion as opinion and leave the east coast views where they belong - in the northeast.
Robert Porter • Wildwood
Your thoughts?
Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
Mr Porter is not alone. Editorializing in news content is bad enough. Editorializing that’s flat out wrong is an insult to the intelligence readers won’t put up with. Sort of explains why so few take the NY Times, WAPO, and others seriously anymore.
As for the local reporting, I am still amazed no national news outlet bothered to report on serious investigative stories the Chicago Tribune and other local media have covered for years regarding the Daly corruption machine and Obama’s connections to it. If a national paper had the courage to devote a fraction of the resources wasted on silly stories about Sarah Palin’s bathroom, we might have a different president.
I am certain that not everyone in this area holds the same view and values of the Midwest as Mr. Porter. Seems like another attempt to convice the Post to print only the views that certain readers want to “hear.”
Pagan, I think that is what is already happening and that is Mr. Porter’s complaint. Does your ilk get anything?
Pagan:
“I am certain that not everyone in this area holds the same view and values of the Midwest as Mr. Porter. Seems like another attempt to convice the Post to print only the views that certain readers want to “hear.””
I’m certain that the loons that the Post-Dispatch are trying to appeal to do not buy the paper, they scavenge day old editions from beneath the seats of public transport. The masochistic pleasure of utter failure that Kevin Horrigan experienced on “The Sun” is now being shared with effete snobs being led down the primrose path.
Mr. Porter’s suggestion is not practical. How would the PD raise the consciousness of hayseed Midwesterners and convince us to emulate the urbane East Coast culture without such sources?
After all, Time, Newsweek, PBS, the networks, and the NYT can’t be expected to impose the progressive agenda on flyover country without vigorous local support.
Just keep preaching the Soros gospel, comrades. You’ve really got the “change” on track now. The reality challenged government worshipers on these blogs attest to that.
I would like to thank my esteemed friends on the Right for reinforcing my point by regurgitating the standard talking points. This typical chatter is exactly why I suspect Steve Parker knew he’d get some feedback for even posting this — and why I stay out of the Current Affairs forum. Keep trying, but the Post won’t become FauxNews anytime soon.
Your point wasn’t reinforced, it was refuted. Try making an actual argument next time.
I would point out to you, my dear fish, that in order to refute something you need to provide proof. To claim that anything written without a conservative slant is an example of editorializing is merely serving to prove your own bias.
Keep trying, but the Post won’t become FauxNews anytime soon.
Pagan,
Maybe they should try. Fox is consistently climbing in the ratings. Even the repeats on Fox are out preforming the competition. It might help them save the paper. Oh, I forgot. Your “Savior” Obama will bail his supporters out.
Pandering to the masses is the opposite of responsible journalism, Sca. Media should aspire to exposing a diversity of views.