Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
KPCC story on Inland Empire election makes its way into political mailers
Candidates Cheryl Brown and Eloise Reyes are competing to represent the Inland Empire in Sacramento.
(
Candidate Flickr pages
)
A mailer sent out by Neighbors United excerpts a KPCC story. KPCC does not endorse candidates.
()
A mailer sent out by Neighbors United excerpts a KPCC story. KPCC does not endorse candidates.
()
At least two political mailers put out by a group active in an Inland Empire election feature excerpts from a KPCC report on a state Assembly race. KPCC did not participate in their design or endorse any candidate there, and has demanded the group stop distributing the materials.
The mailers were shared with the station by Gloria Anderson with the League of Women Voters of the San Bernardino Area as part of an effort by the station to collect political mailers. The two mailers were paid for by a group called Neighbors United for a Stronger Middle Class to Support Eloise Reyes.
Voters received the mailers amid a contentious race for state Assembly in the Inland Empire's 47th District, an area that includes Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino. There, incumbent Democrat Cheryl Brown is squaring off against fellow Democrat Eloise Reyes.
A mailer sent out by Neighbors United excerpts a KPCC story
()
Support for LAist comes from
Outside spenders have dumped millions into the contest, making it one of the state's most expensive. Among the big spenders is Neighbors United.
While the group is unaffiliated with Reyes, it has spent more than $1.9 million this year to elect her and defeat Cheryl Brown. That effort has included negative videos and campaign literature attacking Brown.
The Neighbors United mailers both feature sections of the Oct. 4, 2016 story displayed on a tablet computer. While the quoted sections are in the story, they were not an endorsement of either candidate in the race. One of the quotes is from Reyes, who spoke to KPCC. Brown's campaign did not respond to several requests for comment.
The other excerpt includes text from the story that describes Brown's role in eliminating a provision in an environmental bill that would have cut gasoline use, action which has been widely reported. The mailer also features a quote in the story from University of California, Riverside's Karthick Ramakrishnan, alongside an excerpt from a Press Enterprise article.
KPCC does not endorse candidates running for office.
A mailer sent out by Neighbors United excerpts a KPCC story
()
The image on the tablet closely resembles KPCC's website. KPCC has sent a cease and desist letter to Neighbors United asking the organization to stop using the station's content in political advertising.
Support for LAist comes from
Karlene Goller, KPCC’s newsroom attorney, explained why the station sent the letter: "The Neighbors United mailers do not fairly represent KPCC's coverage. The excerpts in the mailers are actually statements by others, including the group's candidate, Eloise Reyes, who were quoted in a KPCC political story. The mailers intentionally misuse the quotes and misrepresent them to make the reader believe that KPCC supports the group's candidate, Eloise Reyes. That is not true. KPCC is completely neutral and unbiased and does not support any candidate in that election or any other."
Voting has begun in California. KPCC is here for you and will help you develop your Voter Game Plan. Use our election guide to find your personalized ballot.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist