Ask either Sean Hannity of Fox News or Rachel Maddow of MSNBC whether they believed their reporting was fair and balanced and I am sure they would both claim it was. Fairness and balance, two of the most important journalistic requirements, can be subjective, facts can be selected, contributors chosen for interview because they are known to confirm the attitudes of the opinions of editors or interviewers. In all news organizations senior editorial writers will make their choices, point their writers in the direction most beneficial to the profitability and readership of that newspaper or organization and the political leanings of the owners and readers.

The Arizona Republic is the main news staple of the state. It does its best to be independent and impartial and fair minded. It has abandoned the old editorial custom of recommending political candidates in favor of just presenting the issues and yet the selection of editorials and opinion letters and cartoons remain on balance on the side of the status quo which means conservative. The stock mantras are repeated over and over, socialism would kill private enterprise, Medicare for all would bankrupt us, the threat of global warming is somewhere on the horizon and not a serious issue. Charter Schools just need tweaking. The negative results of building the Wall are recounted but no criticism is offered for the millions of dollars spent. Nobody writes about the importance of our trade with Mexico. The fate of DACA kids and illegal immigrants is hinted at nervously because we need them in the labor force and employers have influence. Sensible prison and legal reform are not really a popular issue issue. So we drift waiting for next explosion.

The Arizona Republic now reports, it does not lead. Food and restaurants are covered at infinitum, the latest Hollywood blockbusters are covered, scenic walks are covered, pop groups covered. Native Americans...? Code talkers, dancers, casinos...covered.... Native American history in Arizona and how white treated them? Why dig up a corpse? Serious issues? Foster children? Sexual slavery? Who wants to know? We cover it! Women in the workforce. Child care? Poverty? Extortion by pay day lenders and the power of the pharmaceutical industry? Let's not annoy people. Monopolies controlling the market in marijuana and alcohol.... not interesting. Investigating and asking too many questions can get you blown up in Arizona. Everything is under control. Hell, here in Arizona we make some of the best instruments of war in the world. Close one eye and you never see the dirt. Information is power, ignorance is bliss. Seeing ourselves as we are, is uncomfortable. What IS the function of a newspaper?