San Jose Spotlight: Santa Clara Mayor’s Push to Win Back Power

San Jose Spotlight: Santa Clara Mayor’s Push to Win Back Power

September 18th, 2024

Story Summary:

Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor is backing candidates against council incumbents. Tensions with the 49ers and outside funding complicate the political landscape ahead of the November elections.

Story Grade:

The article by B. Sakura Cannestra receives a grade of C- due to several notable issues that undermine its trustworthiness.

There is a clear bias against Mayor Lisa Gillmor, as evidenced by the choice of language used throughout the piece. Phrases like “wrangle power” and “handpicked candidates” suggest a negative portrayal of her political maneuvers, while also framing her actions in a conspiratorial light. This loaded language implies ulterior motives and could mislead readers regarding the nature of her endorsements.

Furthermore, the article mentions the influence of outside money in politics, particularly from the San Francisco 49ers, without fully exploring the implications for both sides of the political spectrum. The focus appears to be more on discrediting Gillmor than on analyzing the broader electoral context.

The story features quotes from Gillmor’s critics, such as Vice Mayor Anthony Becker and Councilmember Karen Hardy.  The story also quotes Rich Robinson, who has a controversial history in Santa Clara and worked for the 49ers as a political consultant, which is not disclosed. The story provides limited context or voice for Gillmor’s supporters or her rationale behind the endorsements. This creates an imbalance that can skew reader perception, fostering distrust in the impartiality of the report.

Overall, while the article presents relevant information, its bias and lack of balanced reporting diminish its credibility.