Globe and Mail Public Editor: We need to talk about The Donald
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It’s no surprise that politics is at the heart of some very raucous and widespread debates – and not just those about what happens in the House of Commons (such as last week’s controversial “manhandling” incident).
What journalism does for these national discussions is (hopefully) provide enough information that you can make up your own mind, as well as offer opinions that may help order those facts and shape your thinking. This is never more important than when you are about to cast a ballot.
But how about our current obsession with Donald Trump and the complaints I’ve had recently about Globe coverage? Yes, he has angry supporters here, too.
One began by declaring a story on President Barack Obama incomplete: “Why don’t you mention he lost every encounter to Putin. You don’t like someone who can get the public’s ear without the censorship of the press.” But then: “When it comes to the press, I’m with Trump.”
Another complained about “the usual ‘lying press’ daily Trump bashing or Putin bashing. This is where you are the best.”
A few aren’t happy with the opinion columns on The Donald. Seems to some, they are one-sided, as in critical of him.
In his column, Jeffrey Simpson said Mr. Trump “has redefined acceptable domestic discourse and challenged what had been an accepted way of seeing the world. It says a great deal about his country, none of it good, that he has defied so many expectations and may yet defy more.”
John Ibbitson wrote that “most Canadians are doubtless appalled by the possibility of a President Trump.” This spurred a Calgary reader to call and complain, saying he is not a Trump supporter, but “you have all these reports which are biased and one-sided. You don’t give a diversity. It’s quite obvious The Globe has made up its mind. You do the readers a total disservice. Your newspaper is so obviously biased and prejudiced about the U.S. election and it’s disgusting.”
Continue reading this story on the Globe and Mail website, where it was first published.
Sylvia Stead is the Public Editor of the Globe and Mail.