Tribune Company Scribes: Koch Brothers Purchase Could Turn Papers Into "Conservative Mouthpiece"

[babylonsister]

Yep, that's a huge fear.


Tribune Company Scribes: Koch Brothers Purchase Could Turn Papers Into "Conservative Mouthpiece"
JOE STRUPP


New reports that the politically conservative Koch brothers are interested in buying the Tribune Company's eight regional newspapers -- which include the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune -- are sparking concerns from newspaper staff members that attempts to influence the editorial process in favor of their far-right political views may follow.

Among those concerned is Clarence Page, a top Chicago Tribune columnist, who said he would oppose a takeover of the paper by David and Charles Koch because of "the fact that they seem to be coming in upfront with the idea of using a major news media as a vehicle for their political voice."

Since Sunday, both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal have reported that the Kochs are among leading contenders to purchase the newspapers from the financially troubled Tribune Company.

In addition to the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune, the Kochs are reportedly seeking to buy The Baltimore Sun, the Orlando Sentinel, the South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Hartford Courant (Hartford, CT), The Morning Call (Allentown, PA), and the Daily Press (Hampton Roads, VA).

snip//

According to those staffers, such concerns are rampant at the papers. "Nobody I know in the newsroom would find it a happy event to have the Koch brothers owning the paper," said one longtime Chicago Tribune staffer, who suggested that the purpose of the takeover is so that the brothers can use the publications to "promulgate their political views."

"I haven't heard anyone here who has welcomed the idea of the Koch brothers... the Koch brothers, that scares people," added an LA Times scribe.

more...

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2013/04/23/tribune-company-scribes-koch-brothers-purchase/193720

[Wait Wut]

1. They'll kill the Chicago Tribune.

Writers will walk out. Advertisers will bail. Readers will leave. It'll be the Conservative Enquirer with stories about how Bat Boy is a Muslim and the only ads will be for gold sellers. They'll be laughed into the garbage bin.

I would imagine the same would happen with LA.

[babylonsister]

2. Did you see the other papers they're contemplating buying?

There ought to be a law...sounds monopolistic to me. And there are still far too many people who believe the dreck that's dug up.

[Wait Wut]

4. That's what I was thinking.

I'm sure the Chicago Trib and LA Times are lawyering up to stop this. If that doesn't work, there will be a shut down.

[babylonsister]

5. Unfortunately, newspapers are going the way of the dinosaur.

$$ talks, and they have plenty of it.

[Wait Wut]

6. True, but some will survive.

I dish out the $14 a month when I exceed my '5 story limit' at the Trib. Years ago, my dad owned one of the largest ad agencies in Chicago. I know how newspapers must be hurting. But, for the most part, newspapers are the last refuge for real journalism. I can still read real news in the Tribune and not feel like my brain was just assaulted by someone else's opinions. I like my news like I like my martinis, dry.

The small local papers will die off sooner than later. That's why this Koch n Bullshit story needs more attention. Papers like the Trib and Times will be all that's left.

[waddirum]

13. be serious

The Tribune owners are not lawyering up, nor do they intend to stop the sale.

In fact, they are counting on a moneybags buyer like the Kochs to take the money losing asset off of their hands. They would sell it to the Kochs in a heartbeat.

[Scuba]

3. It's already a conservative mouthpiece.

[Cleita]

8. I was just going to say. n/t

[Initech]

7. This scares the absolute shit out of me. Far more than any terrorist cell ever could.

If Koch Industries gets their hands on Tribune Corporation we can kiss freedom of the press goodbye.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. My local fish wrapper is not even worthy of parrot

Page liner...this is the reason

[babylonsister]

12. Yes. The more pervasive, the scarier, and it doesn't take big

news corps to do it.

[thatgemguy]

10. They will destroy Newspapers

Just like Clear Channel destroyed Radio.

[Cha]

11. Of course, they will. Might backfire on their plutocratic ass,

though.