Letter: Candidate did not back up accusations, and paper showed bias

Posted 10/18/18

Last week’s article, “ Gablinske vs. Donovan, moderate vs. liberal ,” was just another profile of a politician that uses words like “socialist,” “liberal,” …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Letter: Candidate did not back up accusations, and paper showed bias

Posted

Last week’s article, “Gablinske vs. Donovan, moderate vs. liberal,” was just another profile of a politician that uses words like “socialist,” “liberal,” “extreme,” to intimidate without any substance. Mr. Gablinske was quoted as saying of Susan Donovan, “My opponent is an avowed progressive … she doesn’t pretend otherwise; she believes in the policies she promotes.”

What is unfortunate of Mr. Gablinke’s statement, is that he was allowed to make such a bold declaration as the one above, without hearing from the other side. If someone is going to use such eye-catching terms to describe someone, please provide examples; please tell voters what you consider so “extreme” that it would be a detriment to vote for such a person. What I find disturbing are candidates that use this time of such vast political polarization to their advantage. 

Also quite disturbing is what seems to be a pattern of biased reporting by this publication. This article did a fine of job of showcasing Mr. Gablinske’s feelings of his former political party and his opponent, but where was the other side? One quote from Ms. Donovan was provided but, there was many an opportunity for a journalistic debate to be featured within this piece. Not only is it the responsibility of a candidate to present evidence when making accusatory claims of his opponent, it is equally important that the paper featuring such claims, provide fair and unbiased reporting so the voters can reach their own conclusion.

Scott M. Proto
Bristol

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.