The Observation Deck

Monica Robins, a "reporter" for WKYC is promoting Build Lakewood by posting a blurb about them and a link to their website on her WKYC Facebook account. When I questioned her as to her objectivity as a reporter by not posting information on the opposing position, Monique Smith, a former Lakewood councilperson, jumped in to say that the Lakewood Observer was biased.

See: https://www.facebook.com/notes/monica-robins-wkyc/new-group-formed-to-support-lakewood-hospital-plan-wkyc/858142340889171?comment_id=858669900836415&reply_comment_id=858686760834729&offset=0&total_comments=10&notif_t=note_reply

Monique Smith Hello. You have given me food for thought. If the publisher of our local paper, the Observer, openly takes one side of this issue, is he too being unethical? I hope not. I know he loves Lakewood and means well when he speaks out. But, to be fair, we should hold all media outlets to the same standard.
Like · 16 mins

Monique, do you read the Observer? Mayor Summers had a lengthy article explaining his position on the issue. Mr Laskey, Mr Kenny, Pam Smith and many more Summers supporters were able to express their views. Council candidates who support Build Lakewood, like Litten, were given equal space. Tom Bullock was able to fawn over the mayor in the last issue.

Where do you get off saying the Observer is "openly tak(ing) one side of this issue?" In fact, it is the ONLY place where you consistently will find BOTH sides presented and discussed. That is why so many residents rely on it for information.

Ms Smith's post particularly bothered me, not only because it was false, but because it seems to be a "talking point" amongst those who support destroying Lakewood Hospital. They denigrate the paper, they denigrate Jim O'Bryan, they try to marginalize the paper. Why? Because they do not want people having ALL the information.

We should be so thankful we have at least ONE media outlet that is willing to put it all out there. I know I am.

Bridget Conant wrote:Monica Robins, a "reporter" for WKYC is promoting Build Lakewood by posting a blurb about them and a link to their website on her WKYC Facebook account. When I questioned her as to her objectivity as a reporter by not posting information on the opposing position, Monique Smith, a former Lakewood councilperson, jumped in to say that the Lakewood Observer was biased.

See: https://www.facebook.com/notes/monica-robins-wkyc/new-group-formed-to-support-lakewood-hospital-plan-wkyc/858142340889171?comment_id=858669900836415&reply_comment_id=858686760834729&offset=0&total_comments=10&notif_t=note_reply

Monique Smith Hello. You have given me food for thought. If the publisher of our local paper, the Observer, openly takes one side of this issue, is he too being unethical? I hope not. I know he loves Lakewood and means well when he speaks out. But, to be fair, we should hold all media outlets to the same standard.
Like · 16 mins

Monique, do you read the Observer? Mayor Summers had a lengthy article explaining his position on the issue. Mr Laskey, Mr Kenny, Pam Smith and many more Summers supporters were able to express their views. Council candidates who support Build Lakewood, like Litten, were given equal space. Tom Bullock was able to fawn over the mayor in the last issue.

Where do you get off saying the Observer is "openly tak(ing) one side of this issue?" In fact, it is the ONLY place where you consistently will find BOTH sides presented and discussed. That is why so many residents rely on it for information.

Ms Smith's post particularly bothered me, not only because it was false, but because it seems to be a "talking point" amongst those who support destroying Lakewood Hospital. They denigrate the paper, they denigrate Jim O'Bryan, they try to marginalize the paper. Why? Because they do not want people having ALL the information.

We should be so thankful we have at least ONE media outlet that is willing to put it all out there. I know I am.

I read through the Facobook thread. I read this LO thread.

Monique was specific in saying "the publisher of the Lakewood Observer" not the "Lakewood Observer" itself.

I know Jim wears many hats, but I think he would be the first to point out that he does not "represent" the Lakewood Observer and that his thoughts are his own, not a representation of the Lakewood Observer as a whole. This helps explain why both sides of stories appear in the paper. Jim does write, for himself, on one side of a topic but the Lakewood Observer prints all sides.

It appears to me that Monique was commenting on the one side Jim speaks about, keeping in mind that he is the Founder, Editor and Publisher of the paper.

Corey

Definitely agree with Corey. Monique was not saying the Observer was only taking one side. She was posing a question about the publisher of the paper openly taking one side. She was absolutely not saying the Observer itself (the paper) was biased.

Monica Robins was representing WKYC - it was NOT her personal FB account it was her WKYC FB presence. She was speaking AS A "reporter" for WKYC. As such, her post was strangely one sided.

Monique was the one who confused Jim with the paper. She insinuated it was the paper that was biased because she said "hold all media outlets to the same..." Whatever Jim's personal opinions, the paper is open to all and all sides ARE presented in the paper.

Bridget Conant wrote:Monica Robins was representing WKYC - it was NOT her personal FB account it was her WKYC FB presence. She was speaking AS A "reporter" for WKYC. As such, her post was strangely one sided.

Monique was the one who confused Jim with the paper. She insinuated it was the paper that was biased because she said "hold all media outlets to the same..." Whatever Jim's personal opinions, the paper is open to all and all sides ARE presented in the paper.

I understand what you are saying but it is a gray area.

For example: When Jim (or any other person in his same situation in other cities) speaks is he the Publisher, Editor or Founder of the Lakewood Observer or is he a citizen. He is posting on the website he founded and edits. He is writing in the paper he founded, edits and publishes.

If Monica posted a Save the Hospital piece would you call her bias or well informed? All part of the gray area within media.

Corey

I contacted Monica Robins. She was very gracious and promised to post releases from both sides, as she does wish to be neutral. She pointed out, which is very true, that is hard to get any in-depth coverage in a minute and 15 second spot.

Another reason to read the Observer!

Bridget,

I agree with you. I feel that Jim has always and will continue to be fair about the happenings in Lakewood. Thank goodness we have a paper and forum that allows ANYONE regardless of THEIR VIEWS to post or submit an article for print.

Sometimes Jim and I don't agree, but I respect his thoughts and we remain on friendly terms.

It appears that Team Summers will interject into anything that appears to be painting the Mayor as a not so nice person. Frankly, I get tired of hearing the famous Team Summers motto: :"Healthcare is changing". Okay. Fine. I invite you all to come forward either in print or on the forum with your reasons and facts to back up what you are saying. It is easy to attack someone, even harder to defend your cause. Better yet, why is Mr. Summers not posting answers to some of the questions he is asked?
If I am correct, he is still the Mayor, isn't he?

There's a long tradition of publications expressing their opinions in clearly labeled editorials, and that's fine as long as they present both sides elsewhere in their pages. The print Observer presents both sides and takes no editorial stance. The Observation Deck is a different kind of media animal where Jim O'Bryan is one voice among many and he freely expresses his views.

Interesting how having an opinion makes one "biased". I guess we are all "biased" here on the deck AND at the build Lakewood page. Too bad the word has such negative connotations as opposed to "well informed", which is what we here really are (thanks Corey). Monica should know the difference and think twice before she utters it again. Using the word makes her sound biased...

Monica Robins did not use the word bias. Just to clarify.

Bridget Conant wrote:Monica Robins did not use the word bias. Just to clarify.

"Bias" was former Councilwoman Monique Smith's word.

cameron karslake wrote:Interesting how having an opinion makes one "biased". I guess we are all "biased" here on the deck AND at the build Lakewood page.

Cameron

You have it right.

All, yes all reporters have bias, we all do.

So one of the things we decided early on was to "own your bias" say what you will, and we
can then figure out how it applies to us.

There is ZERO bias singular bias at the "The Lakewood Observer."

As far as Monique Smith's comment. I t means nothing, as she has said many times...

"Thank you to the publishers of the Observer and the readers of this forum for giving me a place to share my opinion." At-Large Lakewood City Councilwoman Monique Smith.

The Lakewood Observer, great when you agree with it, not so much when a person doesn't.

So be it.




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