TU Letter To Editor

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All candidates deserve equal media coverage   First published: Monday, September 1, 2008 In her recent column "Equal coverage doesn't make sense," Charlotte Grimes outlines the subjective process whereby journalists decide the amount of coverage given to campaigns and individual candidates. Grimes arrogantly declares "journalists cannot — and should not — give equal coverage to all candidates." To the contrary, all candidates who have qualified for the ballot, and who have a message, deserve equal media coverage. With regard to the print media, that coverage need not consist of more than publishing the Web site addresses of the candidates and, for the benefit ofthose voters who do not have computer access, publishing a simple chart that compares the candidates' positions on issues central to their campaigns. The Democratic primary for the 21st Congressional District is an unusual five-way contest, where there is no incumbent. It deserves closer media scrutiny and coverage. This will result in a larger primary turnout of better-informed voters. Campaign reform can be achieved by candidates taking clear positions on issues, by the media reporting where the candidates stand, and by the voters making the effort to become more fully involved before they vote in the Sept. 9 primary. Joseph P. Sullivan Albany The writer is a candidate in the Democratic primary in the 21st Congressional District.