Questioning Telegraph Bias on Historical Society Reporting

The Telegraph performs a wonderful service by publishing Dean Shalhoup’s historical reminisces. His historical information makes a real contribution to Nashua’s sense of community

It is therefore dismaying to see the many errors in Shalhoup’s reporting on Judge Nicolosi’s ruling denying a preliminary injunction to the petitioners – I am one - for redress in their efforts to demonstrate that the Board of the Nashua Historical Society exceeded its authority in attempting to remove the incumbent President.  Not only did the article err in reporting that the  decision was permanent, not just preliminary – an error that was inconspicuously corrected on Saturday – but also included other serious distortions and errors  that have not been corrected.  For example, there was in fact no report from the Attorney General, and the putatively “independent” mediators had ties to the current DHS management. Mr. Andon, in correspondence published by the Telegraph on Oct 3rd, noted that all President Romano and her supporters  have been “seeking is transparency and accountability, but the environment became toxic from the moment she began to ask for those things as the newly-elected president”. The fact that Mr. Shalhoup is a long term member of the NHS and a past Board member may suggest something less than full journalistic impartiality.

Perhaps these errors were made in haste, but I am struck by Telegraph Editor Vanessa  Palange’s   declaration on January 5th that “Our editorial staff is biased” and its implied lack of interest in journalistic accuracy or impartiality. The on-line comments on her editorial position were scathing. One could hope for less biased future reporting of this important local issue, at least away from the editorial page.

Gene Porter

Nashua, NH