To know which stories the Herald editor and publisher know are important, but not important enough to warrant tough coverage that would threaten advertisers, just read the letters to the editor section closely.
Start with the two letters at the top of todays Opinion: "Restrict Developers" and "Old Cutler Headache".
The first letter: "Let government stop caving in to greedy developers who could care less about water shortages." Duh.
The second letter: "I challenge all (elected) officials... to join together to stop future development."
Now why it is time for a building moratorium in Miami and Miami-Dade county is a story worth reporting.
We have a county and city commission whose sole purpose is accomodating campaign contributors who need zoning changes and building approvals. Fair and representative govt? Give me a break.
But when it's election time, and the Herald could lead with stories that tell the truth about our communities and energize people to get involved: NADA.
Or, the paper prints a B section story that hints at the underlying corruption, and then go ahead and endorse the candidates the paper KNOWS are part of the great Miami destruction machine.
How nice to know that the Herald buries the BIG stories in the letters to editor. How comforting to know at least there's a hint of understanding.
WHEN did you ever read the Herald REPORTING about where all this traffic and problems with water quality could lead our communities?
Where did you ever read about the Herald dealing with a building moratorium story, or, how there's no difference between a developer and a big farmer any more. How about puff pieces on public officials or govt appointees that never even mention their land holdings out by Krome Avenue and the Everglades.
How every time there's an effort to manage growth for citizens who already live here, the overwhelming flood of lobbyists representing land speculators drowns city and county hall. Or taking commissioners to task for belittling citizens who have the guts to take a day to testify against decisions they know will go against them, their communities, and common sense!
Hard hitting stories? Not when the sacred cow of advertising revenues in the real estate section are on the line!
And WHERE is Miami New Times!!! At least we used to be able to count on New Times to write a story or two about what is important in our communities. Defede?
And to the letter writer, "Traffic on Old Culter Road is a nightmare." you should have gone to the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce meeting, recently, so that citizens could give suggestions on how to "improve" traffic in Miami-Dade. The cost for a seat was $125.
Now there's a GOOD one! Pay $3 for gas, sit in traffic for two hours a day, and pay $125 to complain about it.
The Miami Herald: where nothing is printed without a dusting of sugar and one eye closed.
8 comments:
Wow. Great points.
Media is a powerful thing. And reporting what they see is basic to the job. Sometimes, they should offer up basic community information to help us get a grip on the facts. Photos of traffic on Old Cutler speaks volumes. Photos and a story would offer a peek into our future (or lack of one).
Why aren't the out-of-control murder rates a story?
Why aren't our Military Service people (and base) worthy of news stories on a regular basis?
Why is the county allowing new homes to be built when South Florida Water Management is begging us to conserve water?
What is a good and creative solution to the housing crisis?
What is the true impact and costs of unskilled workers?
What is our community responsibility with illegal residents? What can we and should we do?
Media has to be the one to do the research and pose the questions.
One can't help but wonder why the Herald doesn't "listen-up" with their community reporters... those are the folks who live the news.
The business section is not news to the mainstream community.
I am offended that those folks featured in the business news (and society pages) are considered the experts in community life. It is hard to believe that they really understand what is happening on the grass roots level.
Life in Gables by the Sea, Pinecrest or Fisher Island is not life for most of us. We now have 3 income families struggling to stay in homes they have owned 20 years. Where is that story?
What is news to the mainstream community is that people (who are not living like them) are making decisions that affect their lives and future. Money and wisdom go to together apparently.
Someone who never has had to juggle life, work and the check book is making the rules for the plain folk. And guess what, we allow them to do it. It is one less thing for us to do.
Maybe the media needs to have a serious look at a board that allows the community to note the things they see (or smell?)... and then let the investigative team write the stories.
The community is more observant than some groups give them credit for. The media can help save the county from itself just by returning to its roots. However, the hard stories, the ones you have to work on, don't always fit the deadline or their needs.
With all the important issues facing the City of Miami we are perplexed the Herald still refuses to fairly cover the Dist 2 Commission Runoff election on Nov 21st. The Herald endorsed candidate, who was appointed by Manny "I love concrete" Diaz, barely only made the runoff by outspending all six rivals. The winning candidate, Marc Sarnoff, won spending $78,000 to $405,000 for the developer funded second place finisher. We wish the Herald would show intellectual interest in why Marc Sarnoff is doing so well while being so vastly outspent. It is a shame Marc Sarnoff has to campaign so hard against a candidate being propped up solely by money and greed.
City of Miami Runoff Election Nov 21st.
Vote for Marc Sarnoff. Vote against the Manny Diaz machine candidate.
Watch the Herald's endorsement. The Herald sold out its endorsement for ad dollars and a variance so they get $190 Mil selling some land. Not exactly award winning journalism.
Too bad the Miami News went out of business. Competition creates excellence!
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