As a political science major, one of the highest qualities about the media that I have learned is that, no matter what, they are required by FCC law to provide equal face time to both major parties, no matter what the biases of the staff.
If you watch Fox News during the presidential election, you'll see just as many advertisements for the Republican as you will the Democrat. The same is true for every media outlet.
One would reasonably expect to see the same courtesy provided in the newspaper. And, while The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal sold ad space to both John McCain and Barack Obama, Ohio University's The Post seems to be providing an unfair advantage to the RSVP party by providing more face time.
Now, of course, The Post doesn't necessarily have to kowtow to the FCC. However, I would only imagine that they would adhere to their tagline, which reads, "The Independent Voice On Campus And In Athens". Independent, eh? Not during Student Senate election time, that's for sure.
It's hard not to notice that The Post has clearly deviated from their "independence,” as, for the past two years, around election time, they seem to be controlled by one party or another. Last year, it was the SOUND party, which was not only endorsed by the Post but also painted as the only choice for reasonably-thinking Bobcat voters.
As a PEAR Candidate, that kind of angered me. Though I was not directly insulted by the articles (not letters) in The Post, I felt that my party was insulted. The same exact thing is happening this year. The articles (not letters) have showcased RSVP as the only choice, painting FACE and it's face, Matthew Wallace, as people who are simply wasting their time running against the powerhouse RSVP.
In response, Matthew Wallace, through his letters to The Post, has spent most of the last month trying to rebuild his image. As a person that loves to think for himself, I have looked at both campaigns. Both have merit, and both have parts that are a little too ambitious for a senate with as little power as our senate truly has.
The difference is, RSVP's smear campaign against FACE has been greatly assisted, whether intentionally or accidentally, by The Post's staff writers, greatly contributing to my decision to abstain from voting. The second that RSVP was openly endorsed by The Post, they became an accomplice in a campaign that would put real politicians to shame.
I recognize that my voter abstinence will solve nothing, but I can't support either party because RSVP has choked off any idea of opposition from FACE by covering the party in mud.
To The Post: Please become independent again. Every time you endorse a certain candidate for any office, you lose your credibility as an "independent" source.
To my fellow students, if you choose to vote: Please look at both campaigns and vote for what you think is best for our campus. Don't fall prey to the RSVPs in independents' clothing.
Tom Pinney is a sophomore studying political science.
