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Cyndy Brucato Speaks of Politics in the Media and Bias as We Approach the 2008 Convention and Election.
Politics is the heart of local news in the Twins Cities, according to Cyndy Brucato, anchorwoman for KSTP-TV. Cyndy spoke at the October 23rd Full Committee Dinner at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Edina.
In a recent survey in Boston, viewers equated the quality and quantity of political news with their favorable or unfavorable view of TV newscasts. Viewers like political stories. During the 2006 election night coverage, 75% of local viewers were tuned to coverage of the returns.
In contrast, she related that viewers, and therefore voters, don’t like political squabbling any more than they like gridlock at the capitol. In the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse, surveys done by KSTP indicate people were not interested in the political aspect of the collapse. They had a positive view of how politicians reacted to the disaster, when everyone was cooperating. Although the survey shows a negative view of Lt. Governor and Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau, they didn’t want her fired from the position.
Ms. Brucato predicts, without much risk, that the RNC convention in the Twin Cities will be the big story for 2008. News outlets from all over the country and the world are already meeting with the RNC to work out details on how coverage will be handled. Few are known at this point. Security will be a big concern. St. Paul has little open space to accommodate organized protesters and also doesn’t have enough police officers. Protesters are already testing the security waters, so to speak, with the recent bike protests as practice for the real thing next summer. The press must be prepared to cover a riot. The challenge for the local media will be the lack of resources for such a huge event and the fact that the opening of the convention coincides with the State Fair.
As for the Republican candidates, Cyndy offers the following assessment. The frontrunners are Giuliani, Romney, and McCain. Whether correct or not, the media has written off Fred Thompson at this point in the race. All the candidates have and will make numerous visits to the state and ads will come hot and heavy in 2008. Why, because Minnesota is viewed as a purple state, very much in play for 2008. The reason is the reelection of Tim Pawlenty as governor in the wake of a Democrat wave in 2006. She says with obvious enjoyment, “If its Hillary and Rudy in the 2008 election, I want a front row seat.”
Commenting on media bias, Brucato admits it exists. In her opinion, Fox News is more biased to the right than CNN is to the left. She calls Fox “tabloid news” and she believes that its popularity comes from a desire of viewers to hear news slanted to their point of view. All journalists come to the job with their own opinions and biases. The challenge is to put those personal points of view aside when reporting the news and keeping opinions on the Op Ed page. Questions were asked in the local press about her own bias when she rejoined KSTP, because of her previous associations with a Republican governor and Sen. Norm Coleman’s campaign. Cyndy asks, “Would the same questions have been asked had I been a Democrat operative in my past?”
A journalist’s job is that of a storyteller. A reporter cannot be an advocate. She says, “Advocacy is a step taken in your mind that goes beyond telling a story.” It is important for journalists to be alert when reporting stories about advocacy groups. These groups have an agenda, and the mere fact of getting media attention can further their point of view. Many advocacy groups have names that sound neutral, but report facts that are aimed in either a right or left direction.
In responding to a question from the assemble crowd, Cyndy states that the “Fairness Doctrine” has no place in today’s world. There are too many sources of information available on every subject today. She does support giving equal time to candidates. She says, “Who am I to say you’re a crackpot and you’re not.”
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Minnesota Senate District 41 Republicans
Edina Community Center, Suite 323, 5701 Normandale Road, Edina, Minnesota 55424
phone - (952) 848-4272 / fax - (952) 848-4271
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E-mail: sd41gop@hotmail.com
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