8-29-2020 3:47pm

Media Shouldn't Get Involved In Elections

Rick Amburgey Neighbor

It's been around 25 years since I wrote my first newspaper story. In those two and a half decades, I have learned a lot about the media industry and I am extremely proud to have recently launched this online newspaper.

I believe the role of newspapers is to provide information to the community in a fair and unbiased way. It isn't my place to tell them what to believe. I am confident that my readers can take the information presented and come to their own conclusions.

That's why Warren County Online News will not be endorsing candidates in the 2020 Presidential election or any election. While I am an American, I can only come to the conclusion that is right for me. I don't have any plans to share my personal opinion in Warren County Online News because I don't want to influence anyone. I know that many newspapers do choose to endorse candidates, but I have learned that it is impartial in coverage after you have made you preference known. I will encourage everyone to read about the candidates and the issues on the ballot in any election and make an informed decision. I hope all my readers will vote.

While Warren County Online News will not be endorsing candidates, elections are part of the news and election-related stories cannot be ignored. When it comes to the local elections, I plan to do Q&As with the candidates so they can tell you what they believe in their own words. I think this is important because I was told years ago when I ran for office that the majority voters don't who who they will vote for in local races. In some cases, they don't know any of the candidates. Some local elections can be decided on who has the most signs, not who is the most qualified candidate.

I plan to write about major event in the 2020 Presidential election, such a conventions and debates. I will reach out to the Warren County Democratic Party and the Warren County Republican Party for comments.

I want to address something. I did a story earlier in the month which was posted on the last day of the Democratic National Convention. I included quotes from the Warren County Democratic Party with the intention of giving the same opportunity to the Warren County Republican Party during the Republican National Convention. I contacted the Warren County Republican Party, but they didn't want to comment. That is their right, but I was concerned that some readers may see my lack of coverage last week as showing bias to one candidate over the other.

As we move closer to the election, there will be more stories about the election. When the Presidential candidates have debates, I will again give both parties the option to respond and make comments.