IS KOTA FAIR AND BALANCED?

By Gordon Howie

KOTA has once again demonstrated its version of “Fair and Balanced” for Rapid City during the recent Glenn Beck event.

One of the major sponsors of this event was the South Dakota Tea Party Alliance.  The President of that organization is former KOTA news anchor, Shad Olson.  It is widely known that KOTA management “removed” Shad Olson from the anchor desk, a position he had served well for ten years, when he dared to take the stage at a conservative rally to speak about God and Country. 

A KOTA television reporter called me, wanting access to the Beck event.  I passed the call to Shad Olson, who immediately granted that access.  When it came time to do the story, however, the reporter was not allowed to interview Shad Olson.  Fair and balanced?????  

It would be reasonable to ask why a well-known leader in the conservative movement would not be acceptable for a KOTA interview on an event he was largely responsible for. 

Is it because he is an Emmy award winning broadcaster?

Is it because he is the President of the SD Tea Party Alliance?

Is it because he is willing to speak about his allegiance to God and Country?

Is it because he is well known and articulate?

 My guess is that it is simply because KOTA management is small minded and focused on promoting their own liberal agenda rather than accurately reporting the news.