Coverage of Speaker has been biased

Re: “Speaker’s meltdown raises the stakes,” column, Dec. 8.

Like everyone else, I am in the dark about what happened at the legislature, but I can’t help but be troubled by what appears to be biased coverage by the Times Colonist.

Over a couple of days, in describing Speaker Darryl Plecas’s address to the all-party committee (characterized as “a meltdown”), Plecas “threatened to resign” (instead of “offered” or “promised” to resign) if his charges were not vindicated. A laudable position, it seems to me. He also “went on a tirade” (instead of “said,” “claimed” or “stated”), alleging widespread financial mismanagement requiring investigation.

In calling for a quick forensic audit of his office to illuminate his concerns (sounds right to me), an editorial criticizes, even ridicules, his haste. One has to wonder what they would say if he were, instead, wanting to delay it. Wouldn’t that be more suspicious? Can Plecas do nothing right?

Accompanying pictures of Plecas show him with clenched fists and a truculent, aggressive expression, furthering the negative impression.

Words and pictures have the power to sway sentiment, but with the exception of editorials and columns, a newspaper’s obligation is to be neutral in the presentation of facts.

Judy Moscovitz Victoria