From our founding five years ago, we’ve had a consistent policy on Berkeleyside of not endorsing election candidates or taking sides on local measures. We are sticking to that principle.
We do this because we’re deeply committed to providing even-handed reporting on issues and candidates. We think our journalism benefits from our determination to be unbiased.
At a bigger news organization, it’s possible to have a well-constructed separation between reporting and opinion. On a small team like Berkeleyside, that’s just not possible, so the fairness of our reporting would inevitably — and rightly — be questioned. (We do welcome opinions, however. Check out our Opinionator section for a torrent of views on the 2014 election.)
We also trust our readers. We’re confident that if we report the news in as straightforward a fashion as we can manage, we will give you the tools to make your own minds up. Why should our opinion be privileged in some special way?
So the next time someone hands you a political flyer at a BART station with Berkeleyside at the top of the page, or you find one on your front porch, rest assured that it did not come from us.
And if you see advertising on Berkeleyside advocating one side or another, understand it for what it is: advertising. It’s not a Berkeleyside endorsement. There is no such thing.
If you value the news and information you get from Berkeleyside, support us by becoming a Member. That’s the best way to make sure the independent, local journalism can continue to thrive.