Is this happening with your home town newspaper? It used to be that there was a separation of news and opinion columns. I am not saying that editorial and personal biases were ever missing from news stories; but I am saying that columns containing opinions were clearly labeled as "opinion." That seems to be gone now. We are presented with news stories that subtly present the reporter's opinion as part of the news.
Here is an example from today's New York Times and Boston Globe (the same story by Anthony Shadid):
The Egyptian government broadened its crackdown of a 10-day uprising that has shaken its rule yesterday, arresting journalists and human rights advocates across an edgy city, while offering more concessions in a bid to win support from a population growing more frustrated with a devastated economy and scenes of chaos in the streets. (This part is news.)
The campaign was a startling blend of the oldest tactics of an authoritarian government — stoking fears of foreigners — with the air of sincerity of a repentant order. (This part is opinion.)
And another from the Globe:
US Representative Barney Frank announced yesterday that he plans to seek another term, increasing the possibility of a battle — the first in 30 years — between two sitting Massachusetts congressmen over a single congressional district. (News.)
Frank, 70, an irascible (opinion), liberal (news) Newton Democrat....
I am not saying either opinion is wrong. (I don't know Mubarak, but the characterization of Barney is dramatically understated.) What I am saying is that you would expect the newspapers of record to be better about separating reporting from opinion on their front pages. In my view, the story should tell the story, leaving readers to form their own opinions. Opinions should be clearly set forth in stories labeled as opinion or analysis, whether on the front page, the editorial page, or the op-ed page.
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