editorial: Our name is not yours to borrow

It seems like we’ve become unexpectedly popular in local mailboxes lately – although not by our choice. The political action committee supporting Proposition 1 has taken the liberty of borrowing our name and logo for their campaign materials, creating mailers that could easily be mistaken for something we paid for and mailed to you.

We are truly honored. It’s nice to know that we have a reputation that causes some political groups to dress up like our newspaper. But as any kindergartener will tell you, borrowing without asking is not good. And borrow someone’s identity to influence an election? It’s a few steps more than just picking up someone’s favorite toy.

To be crystal clear: the press does not appreciate having its reputation exploited by someone else. Our authority is not a suit that can be put on when it is convenient. The trust of our readers, built over decades, is not the pillar of your political theater.

We have sent a cease and desist letter to the Idahoans for Open Primary PAC, although we would have preferred to simply teach them the difference between “yours” and “ours”—apparently a concept that is as confusing to political operatives as it is to toddlers.

This doesn’t just apply to us. It’s about your right to make informed decisions, and that means knowing who stands for what. When political groups blur these lines by misappropriating newspaper headlines and logos, they undermine the very democratic process they claim to champion.

To our readers: We hope you recognize this imitation for what it is. And to the PAC: next time you want to voice your opinion, please include your name.

We do this every day.