While you'd like to think that newspaper objectivity is an article of faith and that all topics in the news will be covered fairly and without bias, Star Tribune Editor Nancy Barnes used her Sunday column to reiterate that the Strib newsroom is handling the Vikings stadium debate professionally.

She notes that the newspaper, which owns much of the land near the Dome site, would benefit if a new Vikings stadium in built there. But she says both sides have attacked the paper's reporting:

Opponents of the stadium have literally called Star Tribune writers "stadium whores," suggesting that we were lobbying for the stadium because one of several proposed sites could involve purchasing land held by this company. Members of the public have written me, in eloquent handwritten prose, to complain about the use of taxpayer subsidies for "wealthy team owners."

Proponents have called me suggesting that some of our reporters are biased against publicly subsidized stadiums. Doesn't the newsroom want to see a new stadium, they've asked? Some have whispered to me that we shouldn't poll the public on its opinions regarding the need for a new stadium, because that might hurt the cause.

But none of that influences coverage, she said:

Our job is to shine a light on the debate, to explore all angles, and to let proponents and opponents make their case so that an informed citizenry can come to an independent opinion about the right course for Minnesota. The role of the newsroom isn't to lobby for or against a new stadium. It's not to write stories that favor the Metrodome site, even if that could financially benefit the company (and provide the editor with the view of something other than our parking lot). The role of the newsroom is to explore the costs and benefits to the public of a new stadium and all the sites under discussion, so that all the information available is transparent and the public can weigh in.

And she acknowledges that editors keep close tabs of stories, assuring no favoritism creeps in:

"I also know there are reporters who are passionate Vikings fans (they wear their shirts to work) and would love to go to a football game in a new stadium. With this in mind, we read all of their stories to make sure the reporting comes across as a straight cut of the facts. While some will and do differ on that assessment, it's important to remember that a reporter's job is to write with a critical eye when explaining how the public's money is being spent. That shouldn't be construed as bias."

As the stadium debate drags on — into a special session or maybe into the next year — she promises the newsroom will stay objective:

"The leaders of this state will have to come to agreement on what is best for Minnesota, not just in this hot political season that will soon be history, but in the future. Our reporters will be there to bring the facts to light, explore the options and explain the final decision. What we won't do is try to sway that decision in any way except with the facts."