McClatchy Sells Philadelphia Newspapers

[tilsammans]

Not good.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060523/ap_on_bi_ge/mcclatchy_philadelphia_newspapers

[SteppingRazor]

1. I don't think it's necessarily bad either...

As with any independent ownership, one has to take a wait-and-see approach. With the emphasis on local news and Web presence, the paper's probably moving in the right direction, as far as staying afloat is concerned. As for as investigative reporting is concerned, that direction doesn't exactly bode well. But, still, I think the proof will be in the proverbial pudding.

And besides, this wasn't unexpected -- McClatchy stated upfront its intent to sell the Philly papers, along with 10 others, the moment it acquired Knight Ridder

[blm]

3. This is VERY BAD - They sold to ACTIVIST RWers.

.

[SteppingRazor]

4. I must admit to ignorance of the politica leanings...

of Brian Tierney and Bruce Toll. Haven't heard whether they wer eDem, Rep, Independent or what.

[blm]

6. They are HEAVY Santorum supporters and also helped the Catholic Diocese

there on hotbutton political issues.

But, they just USE religion to support their fascism - they are wealthy builders who scam for huge land deals, and are always looking for tax breaks and DEREGULATION of their industry. In other words - screw environmental laws.

[meow2u3]

19. And they also hire illegal immigrants

to build the new homes.

[tilsammans]

7. Toll Brothers . . .

. . . is a mega-builder of so many of the hideous McMansion farms thoughout the area.

:puke:

[lindisfarne]

5. Lots of unhappy people at those papers if they're going to go RW. n/t

[blm]

18. They don't CARE if they lose money on the papers - the news is part of the

Public Relations Dept for all their other industries and political agenda - that's IT.

Dems use news to impart NEWS. GOPs use news to SELL FASCISM to the casual voter.

[blm]

2. CALL TO ARMS - GIVE McCLATCHY HELL - 916-321-1855

The TRAITOR TO DEMOCRACY IS a MR. TALAMANTES.

CALL the fascist out!!!!

This is like selling the papers to James Dobson or RevMoon or the SwiftVet liars.

[PCIntern]

8. Not good is right

Brian Tierney is the ex-owner of an advertising agency in Center City - he used to appear on the local station's Sunday public affairs program. Always defended the hardest right-wingers with a realslimy Bushista air.

...and a strange guy besides. Stories abound.

[blm]

10. Can you find connex to Carlton Sherwood and the Swift vets?

.

[blm]

15. He IS a supporter of Swiftliars - found this from 2004

and no doubt it's just a small bit of how deep he really went with the group. They did a good job of getting OTHER forms of support besides money.

http://www.pnionline.com/dnblog/extra/archives/000842.html

[Robb]

9. FWIW, Philly News is home for William Bunch

...good, solid reporter who never let go of 9/11 inconsistencies.

[PCIntern]

11. We have a lot of good reporters

some of whom are friends of mine. Big Trouble in The City of Brotherly Love.

[blm]

16. It's HUGE TROUBLE - and I can't get DU to pay attention. Are any other

forums or blogs getting the enormity of this story and what it means to the elections?

[KamaAina]

12. If you believe this, I've got a bridge I'd like to show you

about 90 miles up the road from Philly.

Tierney has been active in local Republican circles and co-chaired the GOP candidate's campaign in the last mayoral election.

Both he and Toll have said they won't influence editorial coverage. When Tierney repeated that at the news conference, he was met with applause from the papers' reporters.

A major repuke? Not influence editorial coverage at his new multi-million-dollar toy? Bah. Within the year the fish wrap will be known derisively as the "Philadelphia Inquisitor".

[blm]

14. Rev Moon said the same thing - so did GE when they bought up the NBCs.

Tierney is a GOP strategist.

He's a swift boat liars supporter - he's an ACTIVIST GOP.

[depakid]

13. Another one bites the dust

If past deals like this are any indication, expect circulation to plummet.

Of course, that's not what this group of "investors" is interested in. They just want propaganda outlets and advertising media.

And, it looks like they've got them. I'd say to Pennsylvanians- vote with your feet and cancel your subscriptions.

[Demit]

17. How do you cancel a subscription with your feet?

Just ribbing you. I didn't need new owners to cancel my subscription--did that about 4 years ago. The Inky has been going steadily downhill for a long time in a lot of ways, and their determined "centrist" stance drives me crazy. It's so flabby. Now, the Daily News still has spunk, and I'll be following Will Bunch's blog closely to get his reaction to the changes.

[Mandate My Ass]

20. This is so depressing

Ed Hermann does the city a service with his site:

http://www.inkywatch.org/

He points out all the Inquirer's RW bias disguised as centrism. He's going to be a lot busier soon. :-(

[LeftyMom]

21. McClatchy said in advance they'd sell off a lot of the KnightRidder papers

I don't know if that's news elsewhere but here (McClatchy is local) as soon as the deal was rumored it was clear they'd only be able to afford it if they immediately sold some of the papers.