Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
(Commentary) Apparently a fourth, fifth, or ninth place finish in the Ames Straw Poll doesn’t merit recognition on Fox News, while finishing at the bottom of the fray is worthy of mention – that is if you’re one of the top-tiered, non-participating candidates.
GOP Congressmen Tom Tancredo, Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter couldn’t buy a top-three finish at the Straw Poll, nor could they buy any R-E-S-P-E-C-T from Fox News.
Fox News also failed to mention their names in its online news story, yet they gave a nod to the three GOP candidates who weren’t even participating in the fund-raising event.Ironically, Fox’s 2008 presidential news coverage, “You Decide 2008,” has helped voters decide by deciding not to include all of the participating candidates in its fair and balanced reporting.
On the campaign trail in Iowa, a number of Ron Paul supporters have told me that their candidate has been ignored by the mainstream media – as reported in the Iowa Independent:
During Thursday’s campaign stop in Cedar Rapids, not everyone was interested in seeing former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for the same reasons. While GOP supporters squeezed into the Spring House Family Restaurant, a group of Rep. Ron Paul faithfuls gathered across the street and held up signs proclaiming support for Paul and disgust with Giuliani. “We’re here to help get the word out on Ron Paul, because he’s not getting any of the media attention,” said Iowa City resident Pam Wagner.
I’ve also heard people contend that Paul supporters may be a little hypersensitive to the lack of national media campaign coverage and face time in the televised debates. While the latter claim can be substantiated with clock time, the former will be left to the viewers, pundits and media analysts as they surf the television, internet and traditional news media sources for bias and unbalanced coverage.
Meanwhile, it’s up to voters to develop their media literacy, while simultaneously holding the media accountable for its coverage and should always ask: “Is this report fair and balanced?”
That’s for You to decide.
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