From the meeciteewurkor blog:

Listening to KFAQ this morning, I was greatly disturbed (and disgusted) that the Tulsa World would run story after story which are obviously geared toward the “Pro-illegal immigration” crowd.

I called in to KFAQ and Gwen and Chris graciously allowed me to vent the anger I was feeling towards the Tulsa World and the obvious slanted prose they put out in what they call the daily paper.

If you heard those words, then you know that you have an opportunity to tell the Tulsa World, Tulsa, and Governor Brad Henry what you think about illegal immigration and the House Bill currently on Brad Henry’s desk which he needs to sign. Read more...

Labels: Immigration Reform, Press Bias

Posted at 1:41 PM |   

The so called Oklahoma Independent Media Center researchers seem to have too much times on their hands. How else to explain them having their panties in a bunch over the alleged scandal of the OKPGOP using a photo shopped picture of Speaker Nancy Pelosi on their website recently.

OIMC says on their website:"We are a grassroots, community-based collective striving to provide universal access to news media without corporate filtering. This is a progressive outlet committed to amplifying the voices of everyday people and especially those working for justice and equality in Oklahoma and around the world."

Isn't progressive code word for liberal Democrat? Read below an excerpt from their "expose":

The front page of the Oklahoma Republican Party's web site presents an image of the Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, which they accurately refer to as "disturbing".

But the disturbing aspect of the image is its relationship to reality and its use on the website of a supposedly reputable organization of mature adults to disparage its subject in a not-so-subtle fashion. The image is clearly digitally distorted ("Photoshopped")in order to present the Speaker as old, haggard and ugly, with heavily rouged cheeks, sloppy lipstick and lines, bulges and veins that do not actually exist on the Speaker's face.

First, If you want to investigate real political bias in the Oklahoma media, here's a link for you. Second, we're not so sure the photo has been altered. The pictures were clearly taken at different times. Speaker Pelosi has been in public life a long time, maybe the first picture is more recent.

Labels: OKGOP, Press Bias, Spkr. Pelosi

Posted at 11:36 AM |   

We presented a piece a couple of weeks ago on the political affiliations of the Capitol press corps. We posted a list of several reporters who were registered as Democrats. Now that's not a crime within itself, or, even suggests that these fine reporters aren't capable of writing stories without inflicting their personal biases. But a story yesterday by Tulsa World reporter Barbara Hoberock, makes us seriously question her motives behind her Brad Henry, Drew Edmondson puff piece.

OKPNS fully understands that reporters do not write the headlines for their stories, but the following headline for Hoberock's story gives you a gist of the angle of the piece: "AG Gave Advice on Abortion Bill" with the sub headline: "Henry Was Told About Problems With a Hotly Debated Abortion Measure."

Why does a story of the attorney general performing his duties - dispensing legal advice to the governor and other state agencies - warrant a 15 paragraph story? Many could surmise that this story is meant to deflect from the question of the morality or immorality of abortion, and instead, turn Henry's controversial veto last week into a question of legalities only.

Martin Luther King wrote about obeying "just and unjust laws" in his famous letter from a Birmingham jail.

"One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that "an unjust law is no law at all"

Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust."

We can't imagine aborting a fetus or a baby "squares with the moral law or the law of God."

Labels: AG, Brad Henry, Press Bias, Tulsa World

Posted at 6:24 AM |   

As a public service to our readers, we had our crack research team (one intern) perform a diligent search of the party affiliations of a few of the capitol reporters who bring us the news each day. We'll be sharing with you periodically the results as we receive them. To many of you, the results will be no surprise, to others, it may make you read the news with a little bit more of a critical eye towards the source.

*Mark Beutler – OETA (Democrat)

*Erin Boeckman – Oklahoma Publishing Today (Democrat)

*Janice Francis-Smith – Journal Record (Democrat)

*John Greiner – The Oklahoman (Democrat)

*Darwin Maxey – Oklahoma Publishing Today (Democrat)

*Jeff Packham – Journal Record/Legislative Report (Democrat)

*Marie Price – Journal Record (Democrat)

*Tim Talley – Associated Press (Democrat)

Labels: Press Bias

Posted at 10:52 AM |   

New media lesson of the day

The Oklahoma Political News Service posted yesterday at 1:00 in the afternoon that Drew Edmondson's campaign had given an illegal contribution to Jeff McMahan. We actually had the tip in our inbox at 8:38, but due to other pressing commitments, we couldn't post it till early afternoon. If Simian sycophants and the mainstream OK press want to declare this morning that Rep. Mike Reynolds discovered the discrepancy, Fine. Our readers know where they read it first. (By the way, thanks for reading Representative!) It only illustrates another example of the lazy press in Oklahoma and the "pseudo consultants" who really don't understand the power and emergence of the blogosphere and the "new media."

Blogs will always be more timely and scoop the old school press simply because of the immediacy of the internet. While the old school media have a staff of reporters, blogs have legions of citizen reporters, tipsters, and insiders who have access to vast amounts of information a beat reporter will never have. Sorry to have to break news to you that you probably already know old school press, but your industry is dying, and unless you become more "progressive" (a word we hate but is applicable here) you will go the way of the Dodo bird and the Ford Edsel. Blogs ARE your competition but don't necessarily have to be your enemy; they can and actually do compliment your efforts.

You now see all around the country, major newspapers embracing the blogosphere. In the neighboring state of Missouri, the newspapers in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Columbia, each have political blogs and a reporter assigned to update that blog. They frequently link to posts by popular local and statewide bloggers and have no problem giving a "hat tip" to a blogger who breaks a story before they do. They've learned you can either try to beat the blogs (impossible) or join them. Unfortunately as incestuous as the relationship is between the press and Democratic politicians in Oklahoma, don't expect much change anytime soon.

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Jeff McMahan, OK Media, Press Bias

Posted at 8:23 AM |   

EXCLUSIVE: Edmondson campaign illegally gives to Jeff McMahan (Go figure???)

One would think that the chief law enforcement official for the state of Oklahoma would know that it is illegal for a campaign committee to contribute to another candidate. Edmondson's campaign gave the embattled and ethically challenged state auditor $500 back in '05. Was this a simple oversight, or another example of the sheer audacity and arrogance of Edmondson?

Edmondson and his cronies probably assumed they didn't have to worry much about the OK press, especially when you have the Tulsa World publisher giving you $2,000. Don't expect the OK lapdogs to cover this story or follow up on it. The Oklahoma Political News Service will continue to investigate.

Related: Edmondson Says He Plans to Keep $1,000 Contribution From Stipe

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Jeff McMahan, Press Bias

Posted at 1:04 PM |   

Heaven knows we've taken our fair share of deserved shots at the lazy Oklahoma press. We've chronicled the startling conflicts of interest of major and small town newspaper publishers and television executives giving campaign contributions to the attorney general, while in return, giving negligible or non existent coverage of alleged misdeeds by the AG from a former employee in his office.

We've posted audio of ethically challenged State Auditor & Inspector Jeff McMahan, admitting to a former employee that he's firing her for strictly political reasons, but promising to "find her job." The press never followed up on it. We could go on and on. Click here for more examples of Oklahoma press bias.

What's the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words?" The above video sums up the OK press succinctly in 44 seconds. Enjoy!

Labels: Press Bias

Posted at 4:24 PM |   

So where has the "bipartisan governor" been while his crony and "financial guru" Scott Meacham spent the past week bashing bipartisanship and making wild statements about using the veto pen?

GOP Chairman Tom Daxon issued a press release this afternoon asking the same question. He is asking the governor's office to disclose specific and detailed information about the chief executive's Spring Break vacation, where he traveled and stayed, how much the trip cost, and who covered the costs of his trip.

"This week has been an important time for the people's business," said Daxon. "And while the governor has been out of pocket, his financial guru Scott Meacham has been making threats about using the veto pen to shoot down the bipartisan budget. I'm hoping the governor will return next week and that cooler heads will prevail. He should also address questions about where he has been."

Paul Sund, the governor's communications director, has tried to avoid questions from reporters about the governor's whereabouts -- only willing to say that remarks about the governor's Spring Break vacation were "cheap shots."

Well, now we know why the notoriously prickly Sund was so defensive about the governor's trip.

Turns out that while leaders in the House and Senate were hammering out the details of a historic bipartisan budget agreement -- the earliest in decades, it seems -- Governor Henry was lounging on the beach and soaking up the rays in Cabo San Lucas at the posh vacation digs of trial lawyer Terry West.

The governor has publicly pledged to be in favor of lawsuit reform, but the reality is he's in the hip pocket of the ambulance chasers.

More interestingly, while he's been enjoying the rich dividends of jackpot jury verdicts, he's allowed his underlings this week to attempt to sabotage a bipartisan deal that would mark a real turning point in taking care of matters at the State Capitol in a businesslike way.

Of course, we won't expect to read any of this information in the mainstream Oklahoma media. The Capitol press corps typically provides the "bipartisan governor" plenty of cover for his trips. All the media has been willing to say is that the governor is "out of state."

Labels: Brad Henry, Paull Sund, Press Bias, Scott Meacham, Tom Daxon

Posted at 7:31 PM |   

As we've been reporting these last few weeks, Drew Edmondson is quite popular with Oklahoma's major newspapers and televison media. So popular in fact, there's been scarce mention of the alleged abuses in his office as detailed by a very credible whistle blower who formerly worked for him.

Our further investigation into the "poultrygate" scandal - and the mainstream media's shocking disregard to uncover the truth - has revealed that Edmondson is also popular with small town media as well. Larry R. Wade, publisher of the Elk City News, generously donated $2,500 to the attorney general's '06 re-election effort.

As we've stated before, Mr. Wade - as do other members of the press - have every right to participate in our democracy through their financial contributions. But as providers of news to the people, they have a unique obligation to be viewed as impartial and balanced. Newspaper publishers and television executives contributing to any elected official's political campaigns, certainly raises all kinds of legitimate ethical questions.

One would believe that Mr. Wade, who has a journalism degree from OU and has been a former President of the Oklahoma Press Association and Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation would understand our concerns. OKPNS will continue to investigate.

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Poultry Lawsuit, Press Bias

Posted at 6:14 AM |   

Paper still has head in the sand when it comes to real scandals

We almost made it through the week without the need for issuing a "Hypocrisy Watch." Mick Hinton of the Tulsa World, has written the talking points memo for Oklahoma Democrats' today, under the guise of "objective journalism." The piece reports that Speaker Cargill is "summon[ing] key lobbyists" to "special meetings" outside the capitol for fundraising activities. Now usually when one thinks of a summons, you think of a court of a law and a judge mandating you appear. Was this a deliberate choice of words Mick?

We've copied every quote from a lobbyist in the piece. You'll notice a familiar, recurring theme in every comment. Remember, this is every lobbyists quoted in the piece, so we're not purposely omitting positive quotes:

"Lobbyist Bobby Stem confirmed that he met with the speaker on Tuesday at an office outside the Capitol."

"It was the friendliest fundraising meeting I've ever had, and you can quote me on that," said Stem, a prominent lobbyist during Democratic administrations." (What would you expect from a Democratic lobbyist?)

"Stem said there was no strong-arming for contributions, although he said it was "very pro-active" with money raising emphasized in several ways."

"One lobbyist said he felt uncomfortable going to the "un-neutral" site, while another said it was "cheesy." Both spoke on the condition that they not be identified."

"After leaving the office, lobbyist Jim Walker acknowledged that he had just talked with the speaker, but said "it is no different than what used to occur at the Capitol, from time to time."

"But others said they felt compelled to comply with the speaker's wishes. They said that has been the case in the past, but the methods were different this time around."

Hey Mick, how about investigating the attorney general and the poultygate scandal going on "five minutes from the Capitol?" What about the Chairman of your newspaper contributing money to the AG while his paper is endorsing him. We'll re-use the analogy we made earlier this week regarding your paper's lazy reporting. This piece was akin to a reporter covering the Superbowl and only writing about Prince's new shoes! What about the fact that it was held in plain view away from the Capitol? What about the angle that it illustrates the reforms Cargill is looking to initiate?

Labels: Ethics Reforms, hypocrisy watch, Press Bias, Spkr. Cargill, Tulsa World

Posted at 2:41 PM |   

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, OK Media, Poultry Lawsuit, Press Bias, Tulsa World

Posted at 5:51 PM |   

Yesterday we commented on the Tulsa World congratulating themselves on their wins in the "B" category of newspapers.

An alert reader notified us that the World had actually been named the state's top newspaper in the "A" category. The Community World - an insert to the the World - had the wins in the "B" category.

Our reader surmises that the insert - that is not a separate newspaper - was deliberately entered to compete against smaller, independent newspapers to "hike its win count."

They continue by offering enlightening comments on the Tulsa World and plagiarism, conflicts of interests, and lazy journalism:

"Plagiarism--the World loves to put other news organizations' work in its pages, but won't credit the source even if it was a major investigation. Don't see that problem with real newspapers--just last night the Telegraph in London credited the New York Times for a key international story, even though the Times' contribution was relatively minimal. The World is a swamp of conflicts of interest, ethics violations and, most sinister, editorial crusades designed to line the pockets of the publisher's family and save them from their bad real estate investments. The Gaylord family is cleaning up its act; the Lorton family is a disgrace. Nice catch."

They continue:

"Ask anyone who works in emergency services how often the newspaper runs material two days after the fact, without using the updates provided by the agency, then refuses to correct the resulting errors. It is a standing joke!"

Labels: OK Media, Press Bias, Tulsa World

Posted at 11:45 AM |   

KSWO owner & station manager each gave contributions to Drew Edmondson in 2006 - on Valentine's Day.

Lawton television station KSWO's slogan "you can count on us" is proudly displayed at the top of the station's website. An Oklahoma Political News Service investigation reveals that you may not be able to "count on" KSWO - or any other Oklahoma media outlet - for unbiased coverage concerning Attorney General Drew Edmondson and the ongoing "Poultrygate" scandal.

We have been chronicling the amazing spectacle of a major scandal occurring right underneath the Oklahoma press' noses and their seemingly ambivalence towards uncovering the truth. A search of the KSWO website search engine revealed one entry for "Drew Edmondson" - a puff piece dated January 17th of Edmondson investigating complaints of price gouging after the recent ice storms. We even typed in "Poultry Lawsuit" with zero results and "Poultry" brought back Thanksgiving recipes. Recent campaign reports for the Attorney General show contributions from the station's owner Bill Drewry and the station manager Larry Patton. Mr. Patton even uses KSWO's P. O. Box as his "address for the contributor."

We do note that Messrs. Drewry and Patton have every right to engage themselves in our political system through financial participation, we only question the propriety of a news organization - which is supposedly unbiased and neutral -having its management contributing to political campaigns? It begs the question; will journalists be more reluctant to report a story if they know their superiors have contributed financially to the subject of an unflattering report?

The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics says that journalists should "avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived," "remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility," and "shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity."

The Attorney General's two opponents needed the contribution a lot more than he did. Edmondson out raised his nearest opponent James Dunn nearly three to one and garnered almost two thirds of the vote this past November. (61.19% to 38.81%)

Tomorrow: How many other Oklahoma media executives or reporters have contributed to Drew Edmondson's campaigns?

Labels: AG, Drew Edmondson, Poultry Lawsuit, Press Bias

Posted at 6:32 PM |   

Labels: Press Bias, Tulsa World

Posted at 7:05 AM |