TOMS RIVER, NJ – In a recent press release, Mayor Rodrick took aim at Patch reporter Karen Wall, condemning what he described as her persistent liberal bias and irresponsible reporting regarding the township and its leadership. The mayor expressed his frustration over Wall’s tendency to write stories that cast the township in a negative light while failing to provide fair coverage of important events and developments.
“Karen Wall’s reporting consistently shows a disregard for the facts and a clear bias against me and other Republicans,” Mayor Rodrick stated. He pointed out instances where Wall has failed to reach out for comments from him or the township prior to publishing her stories. When comments are included, he noted, they often appear buried at the end of her articles, effectively minimizing any contribution from the mayor’s office.
One of the key criticisms from the mayor revolves around Wall’s coverage of legal issues involving the township. Notably, she reports on lawsuits against the township but fails to mention critical details.
“Karen rarely includes statements from the Township’s council, and when these suits are thrown out of court, Ms. Wall never writes a follow-up article,” Rodrick said.
One of the lawsuits, Rodrick noted, challenges the repeal of the downtown redevelopment plan and is spearheaded by the Meridia group, the developer of the now-canceled twin tower project.
Mayor Rodrick insisted that Wall neglected to include vital context regarding the frivolous nature of the lawsuit, which the township attorney claimed had no basis in state law.
“Despite the lawsuit’s lack of merit, my comments explaining the issue were omitted from her initial report,” Mayor Rodrick remarked. “When I reached out to her, she admitted to not including my insights but added a brief statement only after I protested. However, that statement didn’t clarify the reasons behind our belief that the suit was frivolous.”
A text message exchange between Wall and Mayor Rodrick can be read below.
The mayor also highlighted the broader implications of Wall’s coverage, pointing to her connections with the political opposition. “It’s worth noting that Patch has taken campaign advertising money from my adversaries, including former Mayor Mo Hill. This relationship raises serious questions about her credibility and objectivity.”
“Reporting should provide a comprehensive view of the story, not just pieces that serve a particular agenda,” Rodrick stated. “It’s crucial for journalists to present the facts responsibly and without bias to ensure the community is accurately informed.”
As tensions rise between local government and media coverage, Mayor Rodrick reaffirmed his commitment to transparency and accountability, urging reporters like Wall to engage in more balanced and fact-based journalism.