It has always been evident that those behind the production of the Olds Albertan are clearly not left-wing policy fans; however the last two editions of the Albertan read more like a Sun Media product, or even worse, a Wildrose pamphlet you picked up from Mr. Cooper's office.
Those who know me are aware that I love a great debate. I will happily -- and respectfully -- discuss politics or any matter with you, and in some cases, I'll even pretend I know what I'm talking about.
I welcome those discussions with anyone. However, when I turn to media articles -- especially my local paper -- I have clear expectations. I expect my news source to report unbiased news. Be objective; explore all sides of the issue.
I get that we all hate taxes -- but they are a necessary evil. Do I support the carbon tax....who cares? However, if people ask me about it, I like to think I've done my homework and can explore all angles of this. It's the same with the increase in minimum wage.
When media outlets -- and especially my local media -- cover these stories, I would expect their journalistic integrity would oblige them to cover all angles of the story.
Don't just interview the manager of a major business in town about minimum wage or how the carbon tax will affect his business or others. Sure, he may be the chamber of commerce president -- but he's also an employer; he's one half of the story. Where are your comments from those earning that minimum wage?
Speak to those who may no longer have to go to the food bank, or those who perhaps can now work only one job instead of two, those who can afford just a little bit more because of earning closer to a living wage.
Speak to the employees affected -- because if you did your homework, you'd realize that in all of Alberta, almost 40 per cent of minimum wage workers have children themselves. That's a significant demographic to gather views from.
How about discussion on the rebates available to employers with new programs introduced with the implementation of a higher wage? Maybe the rebates won't do a damn thing for businesses, but cover it.
With the carbon tax coverage, business owners are speaking about the expense to them. It's certainly relevant and valid, but why did the Albertan omit the fact that with this carbon tax -- and I won't call it a levy -- small business tax is being reduced from three per cent to two per cent as of Jan. 1? How will that reduction affect them?
Or the fact that Alberta's tax regime is still lower than any other province, even with this addition?
Your stories have simply become an extension of the Wildrose soapbox instead of what they should be -- an accurate reporting of all the facts related to issues that impact our town and area.
It's bad enough our political landscape has become so toxic and partisan. The Wildrose would argue the sky is blue if the NDP admitted it were so -- and vice versa. It's ridiculous and juvenile enough without the media jumping into partisan ideological warfare as well. We want the news in your stories -- keep your opinions in the opinion section.
I don't care who you vote for and who you support. I don't care if you have one of those ridiculous bumper stickers on your car of Calvin urinating on a political party logo, or you put a No Carbon Tax sign on your yard.
But I do care when my local media only covers half the story and leaves a significant other half out. It's sloppy and irresponsible journalism and I expect better out of this paper.
If I want biased reporting, I'll go read the Edmonton Sun or the Rebel. In these divisive political times, your readers need and deserve a full representation of the issues before them, not your political spin.
Robert Clarke
Olds
