{"id":286035,"date":"2017-02-09T13:55:26","date_gmt":"2017-02-09T20:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=286035"},"modified":"2017-04-12T09:24:28","modified_gmt":"2017-04-12T15:24:28","slug":"a-robust-fourth-estate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2017\/02\/a-robust-fourth-estate\/","title":{"rendered":"A robust Fourth Estate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>COMMENTARY:\u00a0<\/strong>There\u2019s not a person reading this post who will always agree with my decisions or positions as NMPolitics.net\u2019s editor and publisher. That\u2019s the point. Good journalists stand apart. We don\u2019t have a team. We\u2019re willing to critique anyone or anything, and we\u2019ll take criticism from others as well.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_55852\"  class=\"wp-caption module image alignleft\" style=\"max-width: 336px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-55852\" src=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Haussamen-Heath1-336x222.jpg\" alt=\"Heath Haussamen\" width=\"336\" height=\"222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Haussamen-Heath1-336x222.jpg 336w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Haussamen-Heath1-768x508.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Haussamen-Heath1-771x510.jpg 771w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Haussamen-Heath1-1170x773.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/Haussamen-Heath1.jpg 1262w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\" \/><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">Heath Haussamen<\/p><\/div>\n<p>A robust Fourth Estate is critical to the health of our society. Given the ongoing national conversation about the news media, I wanted to share our focus and values at NMPolitics.net \u2013 and what you\u2019re helping fund when you <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/donate\/\" target=\"_blank\">make a donation<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u00a0We keep an eye on government, politicians, and others with power and influence by <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/08\/docs-may-reveal-potential-keller-conflict-on-state-fair-lease\/\" target=\"_blank\">digging deep<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/08\/hey-tax-and-rev-since-youre-ignoring-my-questions-ill-write-about-your-silence-instead\/\" target=\"_blank\">asking tough questions<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2010\/09\/docs-say-denish%E2%80%99s-husband-lobbied-state-agency\/\" target=\"_blank\">reporting<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2010\/09\/martinez%E2%80%99s-office-had-deals-with-staffer%E2%80%99s-husband\/\" target=\"_blank\">facts<\/a>, and publishing <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2011\/11\/duran-issues-a-snarky-report-we-can%E2%80%99t-trust\/\" target=\"_blank\">hard-hitting<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2011\/11\/king%E2%80%99s-red-herring-allegation-won%E2%80%99t-silence-me\/\" target=\"_blank\">commentaries<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 We consistently fight for transparency from those who are involved in or attempting to influence government \u2013 whether that means taking on <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2010\/01\/well-then-who-does-have-records-about-the-layoffs\/\" target=\"_blank\">Democrats<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/10\/despite-dem-protest-house-oks-death-penalty-bill-at-night-without-public-notice\/\" target=\"_blank\">Republicans<\/a>, or <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/06\/were-suing-to-challenge-flagrant-disregard-for-transparency-law\/\" target=\"_blank\">anyone<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/08\/nmsu-regents-violated-open-meetings-act-sunshine-group-says\/\" target=\"_blank\">else<\/a>, including <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2010\/09\/the-truth-about-joe-monahan\/\" target=\"_blank\">the media<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 We reject he-said, she-said reporting and challenge <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/02\/the-charade-is-over-its-time-to-create-an-ethics-commission\/\" target=\"_blank\">deception<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/07\/martinez-makes-her-spin-the-air-we-breathe\/\" target=\"_blank\">spin<\/a>. We believe in telling truth \u2013 which sometimes means <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/08\/police-officers-have-a-damn-hard-job\/\" target=\"_blank\">reporting the complexities<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/10\/the-truth-about-gun-deaths-is-complex\/\" target=\"_blank\">of an issue<\/a>, and other times means <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/09\/keller-wants-a-correction-heres-why-im-not-issuing-one\/\" target=\"_blank\">taking a stand<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 We reject the status quo. Our state is near the bottom of too many of the important lists. We\u2019re not afraid to <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/09\/grieving-then-moving-into-action-after-victorias-death\/\" target=\"_blank\">express outrage<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/08\/can-we-please-stop-the-tabloid-journalism-and-offensive-politicking\/\" target=\"_blank\">demand change<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/09\/new-mexico-doesnt-have-to-stay-on-this-impoverished-path\/\" target=\"_blank\">hope for improvement<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 We focus on people and their stories, be they <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2012\/05\/once-a-college-dropout-balderas-found-success\/\" target=\"_blank\">Democratic<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2012\/05\/difficult-childhood-drove-wilson-to-seek-a-better-life\/\" target=\"_blank\">Republican<\/a> politicians or <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2017\/02\/single-mom-in-las-cruces-turns-tragedy-into-comedy\/\" target=\"_blank\">regular<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/10\/millennials-like-this-mixed-ethnicity-couple-are-reshaping-america\/\" target=\"_blank\">citizens<\/a>. We aim to be <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/06\/las-crucens-vote-as-candidates-make-final-push-for-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">on the ground<\/a> in communities and in touch with the pulse of New Mexico so we can help people better understand each other. Toward that end, we also work diligently to facilitate <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/03\/social-media-wars-and-fistfights-dont-build-a-better-society\/\" target=\"_blank\">respectful<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/08\/we-must-commit-to-understanding-each-other-even-online\/\" target=\"_blank\">bridge-building conversations<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 We don\u2019t just focus on exposing problems. We also aim to <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/10\/low-voter-turnout-is-becoming-the-norm-what-can-we-do-about-it\/\" target=\"_blank\">help<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2015\/10\/flawed-nm-campaign-reporting-system-needs-reform-many-say\/\" target=\"_blank\">find<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/12\/dont-shut-down-transparent-tax-reform-discussion\/\" target=\"_blank\">solutions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>NMPolitics.net depends on generous donations from people like you. Some of you give regularly to help fund our work. Many of you have made one-time contributions. Others have never given.<\/p>\n<p>Keeping NMPolitics.net going is a constant struggle. If each of you gave even a few dollars to help fund our work, we\u2019d be better equipped to focus on bringing you the news you need.<\/p>\n<p>To those of you who are already helping fund our work, thank you so much! If you\u2019ve never made a donation to help fund NMPolitics.net, or haven\u2019t given in awhile, will you make a one-time donation today or sign up to make monthly recurring contributions?<\/p>\n<p>You can give <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/donate\/\" target=\"_blank\">by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>My promise to you is that NMPolitics.net will remain committed to <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/ethical-guidelines\/\" target=\"_blank\">ethical<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/disclosures\/\" target=\"_blank\">transparent<\/a>, nonpartisan, thoughtful and aggressive journalism \u2013 which has always been necessary for the health of our society, but these days is absolutely critical. You won\u2019t always like what we publish, but you\u2019ll always need us keeping an eye on things.<\/p>\n<p>Again, you can make a donation <a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/donate\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you\u2019re giving every month or occasionally, please know that I appreciate your support. And even if you can\u2019t afford to donate, thank you for reading and participating in our discussions! This news organization exists for you, and you all help make NMPolitics.net a success!<\/p>\n<p>\u00a1Mil gracias!<\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\">Heath Haussamen<\/a> is NMPolitics.net\u2019s editor and publisher.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Given the ongoing national conversation about the news media, I wanted to share our focus and values at NMPolitics.net \u2013 and what you\u2019re helping fund when you make a donation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":55852,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[630],"tags":[137],"class_list":["post-286035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-about-nmpolitics-net","tag-news-about-this-site"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286035","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=286035"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/286035\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55852"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=286035"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=286035"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=286035"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}