1980_01 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper January 1980

              Page 4
Hye Sharzhoom
January 11,1960
Chip Pashayan — a 'Bee'political target?
By Mark Malkasian
"The Fresno Bee" has long been noted for its generally liberal political stance.
Depending upon which side of the argument one is on, the "Bee" is perceived
as either:
—A positive, progressive influence in the valley, willing to take on powerful
interests and tackle sensitive issues, or,
—partisan in its political approach, extending its bias beyond the editorial
page.
Generally, the battle has been fought along party lines and today the conflict
continues. On the front line of the war of words is first-term Congressman
.Charles "Chip" Pashayan. TrumanCampbell, State Chairman of the Republican
Party said Pashayan is a target of "Bee" partisanship.
"They're doing a number on Chip Pashayan," said Campbell, "and I think it's
somewhat less than subtle."
Pashayan also questions the "Bee's" objectivity.
"I think the 'Bee' tends to impose its interpretation of facts in its writings. I
think that if I were writing some of the items they would be written differently."
Much of the criticism has been aimed at George Baker, the "Bee's"
Washington correspondent for the past five years. Baker has covered Pashayan
extensively since Pashayan's election to the 17th Congressional District.
"I'm not doing a number on anybody," Baker said. "I don't come into these
things with any pre-conceived notions of how this story or that guy should be
covered."
Baker particularly ired Pashayan supporters in August when he reported on
the Congressman's attempts to solve the Valley's water problem. Below is an
excerpt from the Aug. 26 article:
"During the course of this water 'summit,' Pashayan, who had come to
Washington in part to represent Central California farm and water interests,
asked (Congressman) Miller where the water came from for the San Luis
Reservoir serving the Westlands Water District.
"The water, of course, flows through Miller's Congressional district. Since that
meeting, Miller has refused to deal with the Fresno Republican who sits with him
on the House Interior Committee.
"Miller now talks about Valley and state water matters almost exclusively with
Rep. Tony Coelho, D-Merced, another freshman Congressman and a former
aide to Rep. B. F. Sisk.
"...But Pashayan's apparent lack of understanding of water issues has
tarnished his credibility and weakened the political leverage he needs as a
member of the minority party of the House."
Said Pashayan of Baker's article:
"I wouldn't have written the story if I didn't believe that is what he said."
Charges of political partisanship, however, are not limited to the Aug. 26
article. Below are other excerpts of Baker's coverage of Pashayan:
Sept. 28,1979—"Is it hypocritical to vote against a Congressional pay raise and
then pocket the money when the House approves bigger salaries?
"Freshman Rep. Charles 'Chip' Pashayan, R-Fresno, doesn't think so.
".. .Pashayan still has not decided whether he would actually take any pay
raise."
May 12,1979—"Rep. Tony Coelho, D-Merced, took a 360-degree turn to wind
up voting against a proposed stand-by gasoline rationing program, while Rep.
Charles 'Chip' Pashayan, R-Fresno, never cast a vote because he was flying to
California.
"Pashayan was one of five California lawmakers who missed what many
considered to be a crucial vote Thursday night on how the state would be treated
in the event of a major cutback in gasoline supplies.
"Though it (the bill's defeat) was obvious to Pashayan, it was not obvious to
others that the plan was destined for defeat.
".. .Ironically, Coelho also took part in some of the same meetings with school
officials that Pashayan did. He was able to vote and then caught a later flight to
Los Angeles, flying into Fresno on Friday morning."
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Aug. 6,1979—"Reflecting on his inexperience in the House, Pashayan failed to
exercise proper parliamentary procedure and could not get a recorded vote on
the House floor."
May 6, 1979—"Pashayan, who unseated Rep. John Krebs with a promise to
balance the budget, has paid little heed to his January proposal, according to
more than a half dozen votes."
Dec. 19, 1978—This article devotes 11 paragraphs to the 1978 campaign
finances of Pashayan while Krebs' contribution sources are covered in three
paragraphs.
Aug. 26, 1979—"Influential house members, especially Democrats who
control the process of legislation, have refused to take him (Pashayan) seriously.
And being 'cut out of the action' in a town where deal-making is as highly prized
as a safe Congressional district can be fatal."
According to Campbell, Baker and other premier "Bee" writers report on vital
political matters because "they are dependable and can be counted on to reflect
the viewpoints of the 'Bee'!"
"I knew George when he was in Fresno and he wasn't nearly as oblique as he is
now in Washington. He can be counted on to reflect the 'Bee' position without
deviation," Campbell said.
Pashayan assessed Baker's reports in the context of the political arena.
"I don't feel George has anything against me personally. But politically our
views differ radically."
Pashayan also offered his conclusions on the Aug. 26 article.
"It tends to be sensational and I think some writers feel that helps to attract
readership."
Baker said he is simply doing his job as a newsman.
"The coverage is not based on my political opinions or what I perceive to be
'Bee' policy. I'm just writing what these guys are doing. I don't make any
subjective judgments about what to write.
"I think what bothers these people the most is that our coverage is very
intensive and thorough. In any newspaper there are critical, subjective
judgments but I don't think it's done deliberately."
George Gruner, the "Bee's" managing editor, also defended Baker and the
"Bee's" political coverage.
"We feel George Baker has been doing an excellent job in Washington. We're
not doing a hatchet job on Chip Pashayan.
"We would do the same thing to any Congressman who got elected. I think it
has nothing to do with Chip Pashayan the man but we are concerned with Chip
Pashayan the Congressman." *tmm***mmmm*m*»****~-~*mm$
Gruner discounted charges of newsroom partisanship; "what happens,
happens, without any preconcieved guidance or instruction," he said.
"There is no smoke-filled room here. We send a guy to cover Washington and
to get the news. And that's what he does. Baker gets no guidance from me."
The "Bee's" political influence is a more complex subject to analyze.
Max Franc, CSUF political science professor and a specialist in media power,
generally acclaimed the "FJee's" record.
"The quality of the 'Bee' is better than the quality of a lot of people in the
Valley," he said.
"The Valley as a whole is somewhat more backward. Personally, I've always
been rather impressed with the "Bee'."
The "Bee's" powerful position in the Valley, said Franc, "is probably more of
an era earned position than critics of the 'Bee' would like to admit. If they were
doing such a lousy job then a conservative newspaper would move in.
"I think they're a lot more moderate than their critics would admit. I think the
paper has a liberal, Democratic bias. They tend to address certain subjects but
once they address then they try very hard to be even," said Franc.
Baker viewed conflict as unavoidable.
"The 'Bee' has a responsibility to cover the news," he said.
Gruner also saw criticism as an inevitable part of journalism.
"You'll always find some who says the 'Bee's' policies are biased."
Baker added, however, that the "Bee's" critics are a minority.
"People respect the paper and it has a certain amount of credibility. It's been
around a long time and people have faith in it," he said.
Campbell has a very different perception of the "Bee's" popularity and
influence.
"I think they have less power now because, in my estimation, it has been
abused. People don't give them the credibility they used to have because of their
uniformly partisan positions."
"Bee" readers, according to Campbell, are receiving an "edited political
picture" that permeates much of the paper.
"I think editorial policy is reflected not only in the printed word but also in the
placement of articles within the paper and headlines. Even wire stories are
edited."
Pashayan thinks the "Bee" injects its opinion into the news "by highlighting
some facts and omitting others."
"I suppose there are some things I would like to see in print that didn't
appear."
Franc also agreed that arrangement and layout can be used for partisan
purposes.
Gruner, however, dismissed the notion of "Bee" partisanship on an everyday
basis.
"We have as many Republicans working here as Democrats. Do you think a
Republican out there in the newsroom would allow that to happen?"
The "Bee's" political slant, though, is no secret, he said.
"We all generally know what the 'Bee' policy is. It has been the same for the
past 30-40 years. It's liberal, not Democratic," Gruner said.