During my childhood near Philadelphia, we had two newspapers – the morning edition and the updated evening version. Who could imagine 24-hour cable, radio and the Internet?
The New York Times, America’s grand dame of newspapers, dates back to the late 19th century. The paper claims it offers “All The News That’s Fit to Print”. Millions of readers agree, but others question its idea of “fit”.
This year, the world is watching our presidential election. The original 20 candidates on both the Democratic and Republican sides has dwindled down to two Democrats – Senators Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois – and Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, who has just secured his party’s nomination. The Clinton/Obama race drags on, with wins and losses on both sides.
The media has played a pivotal role in the campaigns. Many have blamed the American and international press for promoting Senator Obama with only positive coverage, referring to him as a “rock star”. They have charged the media with neglecting to closely examine his record and background while vigorously scrutinizing the other candidates. It’s only recently, some believe, that there has finally been adequate investigation into who Obama really is.
Several defeated contenders complained that Obama and Clinton got more airtime. Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic candidate John Edwards, claimed the media ignored his campaign for not being as “glamorous and glitzy” as Clinton and Obama’s historic candidacies
The press wrote McCain’s political obituary last summer. Financially strapped, he was flying commercially and carrying his own luggage. Compared to McCain’s surviving five years of torture in a North Vietnamese prison camp 40 years ago, this became just another challenge. Also, the New York Times recently splashed a story of an alleged “relationship” with a female lobbyist on the front page. It has since been discredited.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani, so prominent after September 11, faced continually destructive stories about his personal life, finances and alliances. His public goodwill ran out and he quit the race.
Most friends and colleagues can probably guess my choice. However, I agree – the American media has done a dismal job of presenting everyone’s case OBJECTIVELY.
This political mess motivated me examine the mainstream and trade media’s coverage of the gaming industry. Has it been fair or subtly biased?
Here are some recent articles about industry events and personalities:
Perjury charges against Louis DeNaples, owner of the new $412million Pocono Mountain casino resort in Pennsylvania. Open since October 2007, no casino needs this press to fan the flames of public uncertainty.
The Philadelphia papers have objectively reported DeNaples’s case that he lied to regulators about alleged relationships with known crime figures. Until settled, DeNaples may not enter or profit from the casino, and is suspended from his executive banking position.
Remember the Tropicana? My past columns revealed that New Jersey regulators stripped its new owner, Columbia Sussex, of its license and will impose a fine. For weeks, the press alleged bugs, security breaches and dirt throughout the building.
However, my husband Norman spoke to several of his clients who are ‘in the know’. They swore that things were not as bad as the papers depicted them to be. They believe the frenzy helped stoke public hysteria over the property.
How about industry personalities like Steve Wynn and Donald Trump. Media coverage has probably swayed public perception. Both are significant players in the casino industry, but the press has portrayed them differently. Think about other industry icons like MGM Mirage’s Terry Lanni or Boyd Gaming’s Bill Boyd. What are the press profiles for them?
The bleak history of Native Americans took a positive turn 20 years ago with the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Now, press coverage of its booming successes in numerous US regions has made tribal gaming a tax and legislation target.
Fortunately for me, this column allows me to vent and share my opinions. For those of you who have read my articles over the years, I hope I have done a credible job of being fair and objective. I do try, and it is vital that everyone else does too.

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