Nov 12,1978 A question of credibility - Dallas Times Herald 11/12/1978 Dallas Times N � $rald
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WHILE VISITING in Florida last cerned about the lack of sensitivity on by the pro- casino forces to direct their
week, 1 was waylaid by the media blitz the part of management to the public's public relations program.
raging over casino Jumbling in that perception of the potential "chilling ef- Not all of the editors- on contributing
state fect" financial support might have on • newspapers supported the decision. Mi-
Until then, I'd always looked upon their professional staffs. And this in an ami,, Herald Executive Editor John
the blackjack table and the slot machine industry and at a time when we are so McMullan writes, "Our coverage of the
as simple and interesting, if somewhat keenly sensitive to the chilling powers casino issue was made more difficult by
uncommon, objects. But the Florida of court decisions on our First Amend- the $10,000 contribution ... to the anti-
campaign infused in those games of ment rights. casino campaign.
chance whole new personalities and On the phis side, some newspapers "There is no question in my mind that
powers. Depending on which newspaper shared that feeling. Both the Gannett such media contributions not only
page you read or which television coin lowered our credibility, but created a
mercial you viewed, casinos took on a spin -off issue. Our own poll showed
set of virtues (new jobs, increased retail that while most readers believe that a
sales, new tax revenues). Or an equiv- ii newspaper can remain objective in its
alent set of vices (corruption, crime L�E news coverage even though it has taken
mobsters). GUlTTAR an editorial stand on an issue; a cash
And at the polls on Tuesday, the vot contribution to one side raises consider -
ers decided by an overwhelming 3 -to-1 ably more doubt."
majority that the vices outweighed the "' The voters in Florida killed the casino
virtues. . - issue.
But there was a spin -off issue in that
propaganda barrage in Florida that Co. and the New York Times Affiliates But the spin -off issue produced by
promises to outlive the casino gambling declined to participate in the fund -rais- the involvement and performance of the
question. And while it won't be easy to ing effort. Florida press lingers.
tally the public's vote, it's an issue that Reaction from Florida reporters and It isn't often today that the press gets
involves you and me as well. Because editors was somewhat mixed. Miami a clear -cut opportunity to cast a vote for
it's an issue that brings into question the Herald Pulitzer pnze- winning reporter increased credibility. It's sad to see one
role of the press in public debate. Gene Miller registered a "working wasted.
FOR IN THE Florida casino cam- stiff's objection." And the Miami News -
published a letter signed by 47 employes
paign, several highly respected news or-
expressing unhappness with the deci-
ganizations — including the Miami Her- sion to contribute to No Casinos, Inc.
ald, the St. Petersburg Times and the
Orlando Sentinel -Star — had openly DEFENDING THE cash contribu-
and proudly invested substantial chunks lions, Jun Squires, Editor of the Orlando
of money, as well as their editorial Sentinel, said, "At first glance, it does
voices, into the effort to defeat casino seem incongruous with journalistic
gambling at the polls. ideals. Good newspapers and clear -
Contributions from news media added thinking editors would never consider
up to about $175,000, or some 25 per snaking financial contributions to politi-
cent of the total goal targeted for the cal parties or candidates. To do so in-
communications program of the non- variably results in the appearance of
profit No Casinos, Inc. conflict of interest, even where none ex-
The key question generated: Can a fists,
newspaper maintain its integrity — re- "But casino gambling in Florida,"
porting events objectively and fairly in Squires continues, "is not a partisan po-
its news columns and balancing cover - laical campaign ... to us, our decision
age of both sides of a controversy — in is perfectly m keeping with the greatest
the face of substantial and overt invest- tradition of American newspapers.
ment on one side of the argument? which is to raise hell in the public inter -
Most folks I talk to, inside and outside est "
the newspaper industry, flatly believe As expected, the media's financial
it cannot. participation in the debate was strident -
SURELY I KNOW enough about the ly attacked by pro - casino forces. "How
newspapers involved to know their pro- can you have fair and honest reporters
fessional staffs would, if anything, in- when their newspapers and statiorr ex-
tensity efforts to present the news-fairly ecutives boast of their contributions ?"
under the circumstances. But I am con- asked consultant Leonard Weiner. hired