Why is the Longmont Herald an Unbiased News Source?
Beyond the Left and Right Political Thunderdome
The Longmont Herald is an unbiased publication. It isn’t a place for extreme politics. It’s a haven away from the political hailstorm pelting you every time you get on the internet. Politics that are all or nothing, one way or the other, have no place here.
Longmont has a good mix of people politically, but in recent years, it’s trending more liberal than conservative. I, Adam Steininger, am politically independent, and my personal political beliefs fall on both sides of the aisle, with nuance. I have views, like anyone else, but they don’t belong in the news reporting. My independent status isn’t about being neutral on values like truth or fairness, it’s about resisting the tribal pull of red vs. blue. I believe journalism serves the public best when it seeks clarity, not confirmation.
Ultimately, what I believe in politically doesn’t matter here because this is an unbiased publication, first and foremost. If you’re looking for a biased news source, then you’re reading the wrong publication.
You can bring some bias into the arts or sports writing, adding perspective for color and atmosphere, but you can’t do that with the news. It’s important to stay as unbiased as possible when reporting facts. Opinions belong in op-eds and columns, far from a news piece.
I’m not about dividing people. I’m about bringing people together with the hope that people have healthy, real conversations. If you haven’t noticed it already, many of my articles focus on community.
I’m not interested in amplifying partisan outrage. I’m not about amplifying one side or the other. Journalism doesn’t require pledging allegiance to a political party. I write for people who want clarity, not cheerleading. I think it’s more valuable to present something honestly rather than simply echoing the political noise.
I’m not interested in helping one side score points. That doesn’t mean I think every red or blue policy is fine, or that public dissent isn’t important. It means I think journalism should hold itself to a higher standard rather than echoing the loudest voices in the room.
Politics has become a kind of performance. Theatrics and outrage have replaced honest conversation, and too often, journalism is dragged along as a hype man instead of a referee. When outrage becomes routine, it loses its impact. When journalists start reacting to every partisan flare-up, we stop helping people understand the world, we just help them pick sides.
In our current world, too much journalism has drifted from its purpose. We’re not supposed to be cheerleaders for either party. We’re supposed to be guides.
That means sometimes not covering something, especially when it’s more spectacle than substance. It means enduring criticism from people who want journalism to be on their team and calmly responding: “I’m not on a team. I’m here to tell the truth.”
Some Democrats or Republicans might say, “Well, if you’re not in my party, then you must not care about the rights of people.” That kind of thinking is exactly what’s broken in our discourse. Caring about people doesn’t require signing up for a political identity. You can believe in fairness and justice without wearing a blue or red jersey. In fact, sometimes the deepest form of care is refusing to play for a team and instead focusing on truth, no matter who it offends.
What’s the point of biased journalism if no one new is listening?
In a fractured media landscape, biased journalism isn’t just common—it’s expected. Outlets have carved out niches so sharply defined that they’re more like bunkers than platforms, tailored precisely to the worldview of their audience. As partisan content becomes increasingly enclosed in a bubble, a question should bubble up and emerge from the echo chamber: What’s the point of all this if the other side isn’t even reading it?
Once upon a time, biased journalism had a strategic function. The idea was to persuade—to win hearts, change minds, influence elections, shape culture. There was a sense that if you shouted loudly enough, smartly enough, you might reach the elusive “undecided voter” or that “reasonable opponent.”
People don’t stumble into unfamiliar philosophical territory anymore. Our news diets are curated by ourselves and fine-tuned by algorithms that know exactly what we want to hear, and what we don’t. Conservative audiences have their outlets. Liberal audiences have theirs. And crossing over is not just rare, it’s often seen as betrayal. The notion that partisan media is a tool of persuasion has been replaced by a tool of affirmation.
So, if no one’s being swayed, what is biased journalism really doing? Biased journalism isn’t trying to win over the other side, it’s feeding its own. It offers validation, outrage, and identity. It creates a sense of belonging through shared facts or shared fictions. It’s not a conversation; it’s preaching to the choir.
For publishers, the incentives are obvious. Bias generates clicks, engagement, and loyalty. It’s emotionally potent and easy to monetize. Outrage travels faster than nuance, and certainty sells better than doubt. When journalism becomes performance for a fixed audience, its purpose shifts. It no longer seeks to inform or challenge or even persuade. It seeks to confirm. It becomes entertainment.
And that’s the danger.
When the media serves only to reinforce, we all lose something vital. Not because the other side needs to agree with us, but because the act of engaging across difference, however imperfectly, is what keeps a democracy breathing fresh air outside of the bubble. Biased journalism that no longer even pretends to reach across the aisle is more mirror than window. It shows us what we already think, but it doesn’t show us a clear, honest view.
In a time when trust in the media is crumbling, the solution isn’t louder coverage or more righteous headlines, it’s restraint, discernment, and a return to the basic principles of journalism: honesty, clarity, and informing the public.
I’m writing this because in a country that seems to have forgotten what unbiased journalism is, it’s worth reminding people why it matters.
Now, that being said, that doesn’t mean I’ll never cover something like this past weekend’s protests in the future. In a perfect world, we would cover everything that happens in Longmont, but I’m the only writer for the Longmont Herald right now, and there’s only so much I can cover. If other writers were contributing and wanted to cover a protest, they could do so in a newsworthy, unbiased manner, without opinion, speculation, or spin. That’s what the Longmont Herald is about. I didn’t want to write about it, but I wouldn’t stop someone else from doing so, as long as it was straightforward and objective.
A Call to Action
The Longmont Herald wants to grow, and we need YOUR talent to help tell the stories of our incredible community.
Are you a writer, photographer, marketer, or creative looking to build your portfolio, gain experience, or simply contribute to something meaningful? Join our team of locals shaping Longmont’s next big publication!
This is a volunteer opportunity, perfect for:
Aspiring photographers who want their work showcased.
Writers passionate about local news, arts, and culture.
Marketing enthusiasts ready to connect.
Creatives who want to leave their mark on the community.
This is a volunteer opportunity perfect for anyone wanting to:
Gain hands-on experience in digital publishing.
Build a robust portfolio or resume.
Be part of a growing, hyper-local publication.
Let’s create something amazing together!
👉 Interested? Email Adam at longmontherald@gmail.com to learn more.
Be part of our story. Be part of the Longmont Herald.
excellent - well done.