THE measure of a news organization’s worthiness, I believe is at the very least the media outlet does no harm. And you can do so by taking no positions on an issue such as Marianas Variety – Guam Edition does, even if it has taken editorial viewpoints (check archives) on and off when it feels compelled to do so.
It is more difficult to take an editorial position everyday as PDN has done, as you cannot please everybody and over time as your views become clear and consistent there is a good chance that you will create a “permanent bloc of enemy,” so to speak.
Consider a Guam without the advocacy of the Daily News for folks who have little to no voice or consider how much more corruption there would be on Guam if the local politicians and their surrogates did not FEAR (or LOATHE if you prefer) the media, specifically the Pacific Daily News. (Both newspapers have good reporters and they do not necessarily cover the “same beat.”) There are also, undoubtedly, other media outlets that do a good job in representing the public’s interests. On the airwaves, Newstalk K-57’s “terrific trio” (or if you prefer terrible trio) Ray Gibson host of the Breakfast Show and Program Director, Travis Coffman host of the Big Show and Patti Arroyo (who has her own show and the real journalist as Gibson likes to say) all are advocates for the public to varying degrees and while they might all tend to vote GOP, they have been able to put aside their “partisanship” if you will for the most part. (I can’t really ask for more.)
TV news organizations seem to be doing a good job but they have to work on the “follow-up” question part especially when confronting lawmakers and the Governor. And for that, they need to be better versed on the subject matter or the supporting cast behind the scenes, need to do the research to help the newscaster/ interviewer. Anyone can ask questions and read the news but what kind of questions to pose is the key. (The sportscasters seem to know their subject quite well.)

MATT PHILIPS
Mangilao, Guam