Fullerton Observer Loses Observer
A few weeks ago a guy named Matthew Ali wrote a post for the Fullerton Observer about the issue of the prohibition of non-government materials from City property. I wrote about it, here.
Okay, so the Kennedy Sisters found somebody to pitch their usual brand of editorial drivel masquerading as of news – fodder for the sheep that consider the Observer indispensable reading, and nothing new.
But the story doesn’t end there. Let’s let Matthew Ali tell it in his own words, in an email sent to people he talked to in developing his article:
Hello, this is Matthew Ali
If you are receiving this email, it is because you were interviewed for my article that appeared in the early May issue of the Fullerton Observer. First and foremost, I need to apologize for what was published under my byline. The words printed with my name attached were not the same as what I wrote. Multiple things were changed, and those changes were made without my knowledge or consent. Some things were taken out of context and changed into an attack on some of the people I interviewed.
In my estimation, the article as printed is not journalism. Nor is the published version something I can stand by. As of Monday, I have removed myself from the publication and will no longer be contributing to the Observer. This is entirely because of the liberties that were taken with my article. If what was printed read as an attack, that was never my intention.
Attached you will find an earlier draft that more closely aligns with what the article was supposed to be. It’s a bit rough and lacks the benefit of editing. But I am sending this to you without changes so my actual intent and what I wrote can be seen and the difference can be understood.
Again, I apologize for what was published under my name. If any of you have questions or would like to chat about the article, please do not hesitate to reach out.
With warm regards,
Matthew Ali
Who to believe? Pretty easy. Sankia Kennedy has no credibility and has been known to modify submissions to suit her editorial preferences. And this email suggests irresponsible editorial license.
I don’t think we’ll be reading anymore articles or blog posts by Matthew Ali for the Fullerton Observer. Let’s chalk this up to yet another excellent reason why the Fullerton Observer doesn’t belong on City property.
Matthew, if you are reading this, Welcome! You’re part of a big club.
During my 10+ years of volunteering for the Observer, I and many of my volunteer writer friends often cringed when we saw our stories embellished.
I’m sorry you went through this. Jesse, Matt, and I tried to correct course for as long as we were allowed. But each of us was either kicked off and/or could not take the stress of the push back when trying to implement a more professional set of journalistic standards.
Please consider using your talents elsewhere. Good, honest journalists, especially are invaluable.
I had heard your story through another former ex-Observer. She tried a few years ago.
I don’t mind people espousing a liberal platform – in an opinion section. I do mind the immediate editorial reaction to anything that has to do with certain people, crap that’s embedded it what purport to be news stories.
I object to self-styled “journalists” (that’s using the term with the greatest latitude) trying to make the news by organizing Astroturf demonstrations and photo ops.
I’m sure the two sisters pride themselves on their “activism” and that’s fine – but it doesn’t mesh with unbiased, fair or honest news reporting when they try to do both at the same time.
They take every utterance of Zahra’s at face value and denigrate Jung whenever they can. It would be shameful if they has any shame.
Their concerted effort to avoid discussion, let alone investigation of the Markowitz conspiracy was shameful. But what do you expect?
You just want Bushala to fund your next campaign.
Hi Jane,
Thank you for exposing the phony “journalism” at the Fullerton Observer.
I also wrote an article for the observer 7 years ago when I first arrived in Fullerton (before I was aware of what a absolute crap paper it is) They completely butchered my writing and I was embarrassed with the piece they printed.
That aside, the most glaring obscenity of that so-called newspaper, is their blinding liberal bias! The Fullerton observer is an embarrassment to Fullerton and certainly does not represent the average person who lives there.
Liberal bias is okay – on the editorial page.
I can’t stand the insinuations, rumor, and “people want” bullshit that permeates every Fullerton political story.
Then there are the errors: factual, getting people’s names wrong, poor writing and selective tales. All done without apology or correction. “We’re all volunteers,” the excuse for incompetence.
Then there’s the Zahra byline on articles written by some OCWD PR stooge. And let’s never forget the effort to avoid talking about Markowitz and who put him up to his crimes.
The Observer is the only news source speaking truth to power in Fullerton. With the Observer, Charles, and Zahra, the city would be blanketed by a dark cloud of deception.
Feel free to explain this letter from Matthew Ali then Johnny boy. Explain the “truth” portion of your truth to power designation Zahra Zombie.
JRH, classic Observer bone head. The Observer is not taken serious, other than by stupid and nasty people like Hoogerweis. Reasons that support my argument:
1. Bias and Misinformation: The Fullerton Observer is choke full of misinformation and biased reporting. The publication has a history of ignoring critical stories, such as Mr. Zahra’s assault and battery case, his filing a false police report case, and on, and the Scott Markowitz fraud case, to name a few. This raises serious questions about the Observer’s commitment to objective journalism and its tendency to prioritize political bias over factual reporting.
2. Political Motivation: The Observer’s opposition to certain political initiatives, such as Fullerton becoming a charter city, completely rooted in political bias than in factual reporting. The publication is more interested in stoking fear and misinformation to advance a political agenda rather than providing impartial news.
3. Public Trust Issues: There have been concerns about the integrity of individuals associated with the Observer. For example, Ahmad Zahra, who is often mentioned favorably in the context of the Observer, has been involved in controversies such as plagiarism, marriage fraud, and electioneering, which negatively effects the publication’s credibility.
4. Freedom of Speech: While the Observer purports to advocate for freedom of speech, its actions contradict this stance. For example, it sensors peoples opinions online if it differs from theirs, which limits the free exchange of ideas.
No sale, Hoogermizer!
That isn’t Hoogie. Lookit the spelling, ya dummy.
There’s a sucker born every minute.
Cloud of deception? More fear-mongering and lies from dickhead John and the fake news Observer crowd. No one reads the Observer.
Hey, I write for the fake news Observer. Stop yelling at me! It may shatter my fragile sense of morality.
Something looks fragile.
lol. that is not Elijah. I’m right here! Who’s pretending to be me?
Whether this is a joke or not, everyone should question the validity of these comments. With how this site is set up, ANYONE can use someone else’s name to comment.
Poor me.
This would be a major scandal if more than six people read the Observer on a given month.
Instead, it’s just sad and embarrassing for two old women.
3 old women if you include Rusty.
Trombone.
As a current example of the lack of any journalist ethics by the Observer, look at the story “written” by the younger Ms Kennedy about the new water treatment plant in Tustin. If you look at the Orange County Water District’s web page, you’ll find that Saskia has cut and pasted the Water District’s press release, word for word, and published it as her own work, complete with her byline.
Sad, at best. What I can’t quite figure out is if she really isn’t bright enough to see why it’s unethical to publish a story under her byline that came from someone else, or does she totally get it and doesn’t care.
That sounds like a fun post!
Post is done. That was fast! Let’s see if Skalia makes a correction. Bet not.
Forget the petty personal attacks and gossip; what about real news about Mario Marovic suing the city and the city suing him for unlawful detainer; about the Fox theater; about the latest alcohol license downtown; about the cost of maintaining downtown; about state subsidies for dealing with excess alcohol consequences….
Don’t rock those boats.