Newspaper endorsement

Last week, the Chicago Tribune endorsed Barack Obama. A historical endorsement, because it was the first time ever that the paper had endorsed a Democratic candidate for the presidency. Some have argued that newspapers should no longer endorse political candidates. I, for one agree with the Time magazine managing editor when he says:

"Sure, I know the history and the tradition, the fact that newspapers in the 18th and 19th centuries were often affiliated with political parties, but why do they do it now? Why do it at a time when the credibility and viability of the press are at all-time lows? More important, why do it at a time when readers, especially young readers, question the objectivity of newspapers in particular and the media in general?"

Editor and Publisher editor Greg Mitchell defended the practice however on In The Media. I did not find his argument very convincing though, as he mainly seemed to argue (based on anecdotal evidence) that endorsements make a difference, not that these endorsements are necessary.