Review of Star Tribune’s new blog: Think Again by Katherine Kersten
This is a great idea and I’m glad the Strib blogs are expanding. I think it was an especially good idea to give Kersten the next blog, for the following reasons.
- The blog helps reveal Kersten’s bias in her columns. Bias isn’t a bad thing - everyone has one. The issue was it wasn’t always clear to a layman reader what Kersten’s bias was - I doubt many readers got as far as to read Kersten’s full bio (hidden below the Read More link) that reveals her past work for the Center for the American Experiment. In comparison, the blog’s outgoing links are a who’s who of conservative news magazines, core knowledge education links (i.e. ED Hirsch inspired curriculum), anti-gay marriage sites and conservative blogs. Kersten’s bias is now crystal clear.
- The blog is a better outlet for Kersten’s research. Earlier this cycle there was a bit of confusion surrounding Kersten’s contribution to a Strib article on Keith Ellison’s past. Many readers thought that the wall between News and Opinion should be stronger. With a blog, Kersten can post her articles directly to the readership without jeopardizing the supposed “non-bias” of the news.
- Kersten’s promise of a communication “exchange”. One of the strongest features of blogs over other types of media is the inherent exchange of opinion not only between readers, but between the readers and the author. As the population’s trust in traditional media falls, blogs can serve as a way to reconnect journalists and opinion-makers back to readers.It’s important that we move away from the current reaction - “You’re just a pinko/fascist newspaper so I’m going to dismiss everything you publish” to “I disagree with your position, but I know where you’re coming from.” Kersten has promised that: “Sometimes, I’ll update my columns with interesting new facts, or add insights from reader emails I get (with permission, of course).” We’ll see if she keeps her promise.