Dirty Laundry: Airing out political reporting in NJ
By Debbie HoltzDirty Laundry: Airing out political reporting in NJ
With apologies to Don Henley, I don’t make my living off the evening news.
I really do want to know what’s going on.
The folks at PoliticsNJ.com feel the same way. So they asked me to blog about political reporting, with an emphasis on potential biases by the media, actual conflicts, factual errors, and shortcomings in news stories.
‘Cause sometimes when it’s said and done the press hasn’t told us a thing.
Okay, enough with the ‘80’s rock lyrics.
For a couple of decades, I was in the State House press food chain. I fed ‘em and occasionally got chewed on by them. I’ve also gagged on plenty of smoke in those back rooms where the “people’s business” really gets done.
Full disclosure: my paychecks used to come from Trenton and DC politicians for more than 20 years. For more than half of my public career, I worked for former NJ Senate Majority Leader Dan Dalton. I followed him into the Florio Administration where I served as Assistant Secretary of State. Following that brief stint, I directed a federal agency during the Clinton Administration. On the political side, I have managed dozens of campaigns for Democrats throughout the state.
I’ve long since gotten out from under the Gold Dome and up into the ivory tower of academia. I have a Masters in Public Affairs and Politics, and I’m working on a doctorate.I am currently an Adjunct Lecturer at Rutgers and working in both the English and Public Policy departments. As a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, I’d like to believe I’ve got the subject matter covered from the inside out, the practical and the theoretical.
So think of this blog as a reader’s guide to translating news reports about Jersey government and politics.
Regular features will include:
Full Disclosure – In government, they put up Chinese walls which limit how soon high ranking officials can lobby their former government employers after they leave the public payroll. In the media business, temporary fencing isn’t even erected. Often, there’s just a revolving door.
So how does a former reporter make the transition?
Perhaps Lilo Stainton, Corzine’s new press secretary, has charted the path. Whether by design or happenstance, Lilo put both some time and distance between her earlier State House Gannett digs and those now housed in the front office. By having a cooling off period, she was able to avert any appearance of real or perceived conflicts. Congratualtions Lilo!
Journalism 101 – From basic fact-checking to named attribution, we’ll keep score of who got it right – or wrong – in the rush to publish or go on air.
Questions We’d Like to Ask – This section is for anyone who has ever shouted at the TV “Hey, why didn’t you just ask the Governor why double dipping is OK for Susan Bass Levin but not for legislators???” Not to mention the hundreds of other elected officials that hold public sector positions!
The Black Hole – Recalling investigative stories once doggedly pursued in the tradition of Woodward and Bernstein now all but disappeared from the headlines. What ever happened to the federal probes into vanished or destroyed records at UMDNJ? The recent investigation into "possible financial improprieties at UMDNJ's Camden campus" and the unsecured laptop computer reminds us that the case obviously isn't closed and all the records still may not be properly safeguarded. So why aren't we reading about it anymore?
The Tittle Award – Calling out outrageous statements even Trenton’s most quotable source would admire. Who reporters quote really matters. Particularly when they have no subject-matter expertise.
Editor’s Note – To be fair, if a reporter or their editor ever has an issue with my take on a column, I’m all ears. Even if I disagree, I’ll post an Editor’s Note which offers a rebuttal or provides their side of the story. My Inbox is open.
BTW, blogging is a contact sport, so don’t sit on the sidelines.
Let me know what stories you think cross the line, what questions went unasked or unanswered, or when you sense a real conflict. Email me at pressrow@aol.com or click Comments and get into the game.
Contributors
Wally Edge
The feud between Republican State Senator Gerald Cardinale and Democratic Bergen County Executive Dennis McNerney continues. Today, ... >
Bob Torricelli
It's hard to not be concerned these days. We've all witnessed frustration with our institutions before but I never remember anything of this ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
Instead of borrowing trillions to waste on make-work governmental projects, stimulate the economy with tax cuts. >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
Michael P. Riccards
In December 2008, the Holy See released a new document dealing with bioethics called “Dignitas Personae.” This “instruction” from the ... >
Joey Novick
Hard to believe we have arrived at the last year of the first decade of the 21st century. Boy, seems like it was just yesterday that Bush was handed ... >
Juan Melli
It's actually come to this: A panel convened by the legislature of the State of New Jersey has concluded that discrimination is not good. Maybe ... >
Carla Katz
As it tends to, history seems to be repeating itself as 240 laid-off workers at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago revive a decades old tactic -- ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
Many columnists write a "year in review" or a "predictions" piece for the New Year, however I decided to refrain from going down ... >
Murray Sabrin
Five Democrat governors including New Jersey’s Jon Corzine and New York’s David Paterson have called upon the incoming Obama administration to ... >
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Quote of the Day
"Uh, listen. Rod Blagojevich is going to jail. It’s really just a matter of when and he’s trying to leverage this and so his lawyer, as much as he can to get the best deal he possibly can." -- Former U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie, who until just recently did not comment on pending federal investigations.
Recent Press Releases
- Jan 6 2009
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
The City Boss Becomes the Country Boss ― DICK BENFIELD...MUST READ
Ferriero's support a curse for Kasparian? ― CHARLES STILE...MUST READ
Trenton must stop thinking outside box― DOUG FORRESTER
Three's a crowd, but one man isn't a party― ALFRED DOBLIN
Newspaper Shuns Web, and Thrives― DAN JACOBSON
Murder charge for Prisco― ANGELO PRISCO
Healy: Have yourself a merry little Christmas with my CD― JERSEY JOURNAL
Time for BCDO to clean up its act ― CHARLES STILE
Madoff investors will have trouble getting money back― FRANK LAUTENBERG
OBAMA'S ELECTOR ― ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Syndicate
Keeping secrets
Hello Debbie,
This looks to be an interesting column.
My question: What do you suppose would prompt the press corps, en masse, to keep secrets for prominent elected officials?
George Ajjan
REDchoice - 2008 Presidential Primary
Let's get started
by keeping a close eye on the liberal bias in the PoliticsNJ reporting. It should be fun keeping your employer in check.
As for the others; why not ask the governor to come clean with the people and admit he is an open borders one world government socialist.
The black hole: What about the BPU investigations (bank accounts, excessive spending/expenses/junkets, etc.); Prisco parole; Machiavelli; and the list goes on.
And the most recent addition to the title award (the outrageous statement of the year to date): Corzine saying the Newark killings were because "It is about a failure of us to be inclusive and holistically look to bring everyone into our society."
Things on this blog could get good; if you let them.
Better management of state resources
There's a question I have for Governor Corzine, namely, what changes have been made in the investment arm of the public employee pension fund. What new personnel are in place, and new strategies, if any, to maximize the fund assets. Serious losses were incurred in 2000-2003 with the bear stock market. I would like Jon Corzine to apply his Gold(man Sachs) plated financial talent more fully here. It will help keep this fund solvent without scrambling to find new tax revenue.
Inferiority complex?
Anyone who has to spout a resume to BLOG to confirm her credibility is a bit ridiculous.
Give her a chance
Lou K. Bloo
It would be nice to see some actual reporting done,
but since it doesn't happen, maybe those of us who have info can
use this to make it public without paying the political price.
Yes... Machiavelli is a
Yes... Machiavelli is a great example of how the black hole works. The press has been content to let Chris Christie slide on this for many years now, because he feeds them on a regular basis. But whatever happened to holding him accountable for the smears and innuendo, without ever proving any of it?
Yes... Machiavelli is a
Yes... Machiavelli is a great example of how the black hole works. The press has been content to let Chris Christie slide on this for many years now, because he feeds them on a regular basis. But whatever happened to holding him accountable for the smears and innuendo, without ever proving any of it?
Yes... Machiavelli is a
Yes... Machiavelli is a great example of how the black hole works. The press has been content to let Chris Christie slide on this for many years now, because he feeds them on a regular basis. But whatever happened to holding him accountable for the smears and innuendo, without ever proving any of it?
commonsensenj
HeadOn, apply directly to the forehead HeadOn, apply directly to the forehead HeadOn, apply directly to the forehead
Let's See Where This Goes
Should be interesting. With all the factual errors and omissions made by the press, this blog can go on forever. The press in NJ has long since given up their duty as the fourth estate. We see time and time again they can be bought.
Press Bias?!
There is bias among the press?! (Note the sarcasm) Debbie, I have one request for your column that will extend to all of your column entries and that is please fight for the little guys, and by that I don't mean the Republicans who constantly rave about a liberal media. I am talking about the lack of/and negative coverage of Independents, Libertarians, Greens, Reformists, Constitutionalists, and so on. They already have enough barriers to break down for the media to make it that much more difficult for them. I look forward to your next column entry.
Full Disclosure?????
Who did you work for when you say "my paychecks used to come from Trenton and DC politicians for more than 20 years".
Reporters
Some of the big daily papers have some people who know what is going on to a certain extent but vast areas of this state, including some of the richest, have no-one to report on the doings of the political set who knows bovine defecation from beach sand. Morris County has had and continues to have a series of politicians who make their money through land-use decisions and there isn't a reporter who knows the difference between the planning board and the board of zoning adjustment.
Reporters tend to be the children of the well-to-do but they seem to have no understanding or experience with the middle-class that their papers are directed at. If you doubt newspapers are directed at the middle class, read the ads.
How does this effect coverage? In lots of ways--imagine having to cover the legislature of Kanuckistan and not speaking a word of the language and you begin to understand why important issues are completely untouched--the Press is for the most part clueless--not to mention dependent on spouses or parents because they work for wages which would classify them as impoverished under any rational guidelines for the Northeast.
TV doesn't qualify as news, so please don't clutter up your blog with Michael Arron's deep and probing questions.
And, when is that trooper going to be charged?
welcome aboard
and just for the record, Ms. Holtz is a former Florioista, having served as a former Assistant Secretary of State in that esteemed administration. She was also adjunct faculty with the Bloustein School of Public Policy, a den of apologists for the institutionalized socialism we call the State bureaucracy.
If she is serious there is so much bias in our media to work with -- much like the goose poop you find throughout NJs parks and waterways.
Source: http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:Zakob1k_RBsJ:www.northjersey.com/page.php%3Fqstr%3DeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkyJmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2NjUzMjI2+Debra+Holtz+Florio&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
Source: http://policy.rutgers.edu/courses/facschedule.pdf
Nice work Arnie
Arnie, nice job. It amazes me that some one can say there is full disclosure and not provide information. I'm curious to know if she obtained her position via political payoff.
Cynicism
Wow, the cynicism around here drips, drips, drips. I am thinking Ms. Holtz did not acquire her adjunct position via payoff. What are the depths one must go to satisfy your need for disclosure, eh Gretzky? Would telling you the name of their 3rd grade teacher and the first boy they kissed satisfy your curiousity?
--Saint Joe--
Full Disclosure
Some of our readers asked for more information on our new media blogger, Debbie Borrie-Holtz. She has added some of her biographical information to her post.
Take this for some Dirty Laundry - Monmouth County Commissioner
Monmouth County Commissioner Karen Haines Gets to keep her commissioner’s seat (even know she stole it from democrat DINAN). What a surprise. Friday night Karen Haines went into a drunken stuper beating her daughter in front of her 3 year old grandchild after having 2 bottles of wine (a daily practice for Karen) Karen could not even speak clearly slurring as she ripped her daughters clothing from her body choked her, used her knee to pin her down leaving her with a fractured forearm, punched her in the face giving her a black eye. Then contacted the Middletown police department and played victim playing her own daughter, yet. She uses her government position as clout to scare the police, friends, and to get jobs and even a seat as a commissioner.
This is Brandy Daughter to Karen Haines I have something to say
Dear My luvey Brandy (Haines) Paetzold here, daughter to Karen Haines. And I have much to say about this comment entitled “Drunken Karen Haines still gets to keep her seat” First off, I hope the person who wrote this does not consider there self a individual with any morals, or character. It amazes me how and where people come up with such bogus stories. My mother is a good person; she has a strong character, and is good at what she does. Attack someone who is better suited for your own low level insecurities & is as small as yourself. Your story was nothing more the a attack on my mother to get her to be removed from Board of Elections in Monmouth, fueled by lies and false accusations, things that never happened and all over your own selfishness. Shame on you my luvey. Sad to know there are people out there like you.
SIGNED:
BRANDY HAINES-PAETZOLD