Objective journalism

Very good story Wednesday about the Quincy schools/teachers union contract. Even though the principals weren't talking, Holly Wagner did what journalists are supposed to do.....dug around and found some people willing to talk. Good reporting and clear writing.

I can't help but compare that to the Shoutfest reporting. Throughout all the stories on the event, some things were not reported. For example:

The fact that you had to pay to get in. Not mentioned once.
Anything about how much money the organizer was going to make from the event.
Any comment from anyone inconvenienced by the closing of streets.
Any comment that expressed anything less than total enthusiasm.

Media everywhere prohibit reporters from covering beats about which they are strongly partisan for this very reason. The loss of objectivity damages the credibility of the organization as a whole. Ah well, enough about Shoutfest. Time to cover something more important! Is there any Soap Box Derby news?

Interestingly enough, the same reporter does a solid job covering Quincy Raceways. Same degree of enthusiasm for the subject, but no stake in the outcome.....so the reporting is better.