Why does the Tribune cover for Adam Hill?

November 5, 2016

OPINION by KEVIN RICE

An open letter to the San Luis Obispo Tribune:

It is newly disappointing that the Tribune is now openly providing cover for an abusive public official. I am shocked the Tribune is also abusing reporter Cynthia Lambert in this sham. She is a good journalist and you are sullying her fine reputation and name by forcing her to write false and shoddy stories on behalf of Supervisor Adam Hill. I know Cynthia’s work, and this is not hers.

Instead of sunlight, the Tribune is fabricating cover and joining in Supervisor Adam Hill’s abuse of respected women in our community. Your acts have revictimized these women.

SLO Tribune has failed our community for years, but recently has become openly blatant with respect to disregard of the public interest. Subscriptions are flailing at your hands.

I advise all election candidates not to participate in Tribune editorial interviews, as endorsements are not based on any substance other than the interest of the local entrenched cadre.

I can’t imagine whether the Tribune merely lacks courage to bring sunshine or is outright on the take in some manner with our county supervisor.

 

Sandra Duerr, the executive editor at The Tribune, responded to Rice’s letter:

We take exception to your assumption that we are “abusing” reporter Cynthia Lambert. We agree that she is an excellent journalist — and in fact, she is the one who suggested fact-checking the robocall.

We did try to seek comment from the small business person involved, Julie Tizzano, to find out what happened, but she did not respond to Cynthia’s calls or email.