The Press Spreads Misinformation on Proposition 98
The opponents of Proposition 98 have plenty of allies in the press, who seem all to happy to spread misinformation about the property rights initiative. The typical story focuses on the plight of renters under rent control, who claim they will be "out on the street" if Proposition 98 passes. The "news" stories either ignore or bury the fact that no one currently under rent control will lose rent control if Prop. 98 passes. A typical example is this recent story in the San Jose Mercury News, a major metropolitan newspaper. The focus of the story is residents currently under rent control as potential "victims" of Proposition 98, even though its adoption would not allow their rents to be increased. This is an example of dishonest advocacy masquerading as journalism. The headline says it all: "Prop 98 one more blow to tiny mobile home park."
Journalism requires a story.....A good story always has a hero and, of coarse, a bad guy. The landlord is often cast in a dark light, even if it's not at all warranted. It may sell papers, but it's not good reporting. The real "victim" here is the truth. Gabe