I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Barack Obama is winning the presidential race, at least among U.S. newspapers. By the latest count, Obama has garnered the endorsement of 121 newspapers, compared to John McCain’s 42. Counting circulation, the Obama backers reach 13.5 million readers, to McCain’s 3.7 million.
Significantly, 26 of those papers supported President Bush’s re-election in 2004.
Among Obama’s newspapers:
McCain’s endorsements include:
Because journalists like nothing better than examining their own navels, much discussion has centered on whether their endorsements have any value. Some, like Al Neuharth, have even advised newspapers to avoid endorsements.
(A personal note: As former managing editor of the late, lamented Albuquerque Tribune, I repeatedly fought losing battles to get us out of the endorsement business for all but lower-ballot races. Were readers really pinning their choice for president on our opinion? Did we have an iota of power against millions upon millions of campaign ads? Couldn’t we devote that time, effort and newsprint to tracking down and printing basic facts about the candidates?)
You can weigh in with your opinion. Do you use newspaper endorsements? To vote for their candidates or against them? In which races? Do tell.
