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* The Southern Illinoisan goes off on Dan Proft’s newspapers…
As a rule, The Southern’s Editorial Board does not attack fellow journalism publications. So, should this editorial reflect negatively on the Southwest Illinois News publication some of our readers are getting in the mail, this Editorial Board can confidently say that rule has not been broken. […]
Let’s get this out of the way. We reported back in June that the “about us” section of the publication’s website stated that the print version was being funded by Liberty Principles PAC, whose chairman is conservative Chicago radio talk show host Dan Proft. Gov. Bruce Rauner has been a major supporter of the PAC, according to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform’s Illinois Sunshine.
The “about us” section doesn’t seem to contain that information, anymore. However, it still reads that “Funding for the publication comes, in part, from advocacy groups that share beliefs in limited government.” […]
So, a group is sending out mailers in the apparent attempt to sway voters to Republican candidates. Cool. If that’s how they want to spend your money, go ahead. What gets our goat isn’t that they support certain candidates. It’s taking on the guise of journalism to push forth clearly biased news.
An editorial at the bottom of their front page attacks a senior reporter for the News Tribune questioning the authenticity of Southwest Illinois News. The writer of the editorial defends against the assertion that there’s a clear political bias by saying, “all newspapers have editorial biases.” The editorial goes on to pessimistically say that newspapers are nothing more than advertising vehicles and that news stories are “mostly filler, something to entice readers to pick up the rags they write for and see the ads.” Whoa. Easy there, tiger.
It’s true. Newspapers, including us, do feature advertisements. Paying people to put said newspaper together requires revenue. We rely on those who wish to advertise their products or businesses and they hope that they can increase their customer base by buying space in our publication. Going out and selling this ad space keeps us from relying on funding from groups such as Super PACs, you see.
As for all newspapers having editorial bias, the author may not know the difference between an editorial board and a news reporter. See, editorial boards do, in fact form opinions and write about them on the Editorial Page. News reporters gather information and simply report it to the best of their ability. The reporters do not write stories with the goal of putting a politician in office, nor does the editorial board attempt to politically sway the reporter into writing articles sympathetic to the causes of their choice.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 9:57 am
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Previous Post: Illinois State Fair called a “disaster”
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===So, a group is sending out mailers in the apparent attempt to sway voters to Republican candidates. Cool. If that’s how they want to spend your money, go ahead. What gets our goat isn’t that they support certain candidates. It’s taking on the guise of journalism to push forth clearly biased news.===
Reality?
“Dear Southern Illinoisian,
Noted.
Don’t care.
Regards,
Fake Dan Proft”
To the Post,
Here’s the issue with the argument, that they’re 100% right, but, in the end, Proft loves the uproar and gives the phony papers even more notoriety and it may have more people cheering to see a biased paper “with their beliefs”… unapologetically, and Proft, while masking these thoughts, wrapping them in journalistic trappings, they’re repackaged mailers designed to fool or “educate” in this “new” avenue.
“Your objection has been heard and overruled. Proft will continue with this game and voters will hear Proft’s opinion”
This is Rauner’s new normal.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 10:06 am
The Southern Illinoisan has been operating under the “guise of journalism” for a couple of years now.
Comment by Indochine Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 10:16 am
The old business model for newspapers doesn’t work anymore. (Sell access to the subscribers to the advertisers, sell access to the advertisements to the subscribers. Throw in news and editorial and comics to up the numbers of subscribers. )
American newspapers may change to a more political model where the political bias shapes the news content. We have seen this in talk radio and cable news.
There seems to be more money for politics than profit from newspapers. So I expect the change to continue.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 10:21 am
Profit deserves this critique. The obvious political purpose and undeniable financial link make the claim that this is a “newspaper” laughable….just like Proft’s pathetic political career and 3% primary showing. If he would just stop it, the GOP would have more credibility and a better chance to pick up seats.
Comment by Elliott Ness Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 10:22 am
OW: To summarize, “Don’t feed the troll.”
Comment by walker Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 10:36 am
It says a lot about your message when you have to hide it’s true intent from the readers. Bruce Rauner’s GOP is a built on a foundation of lies and deceit. Why would they need to mislead anyone if their ideas were really so great?
Exactly.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 10:37 am
- walker -
Good point. Nicely succinct too.
Hopefully… by making their objection now they’ll let it die down instead of feeding it. Hopefully.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 10:49 am
I’m all for people giving money to Proft for whatever harebrained idea he has. It keeps that money from going to someone effective with similar political leanings.
Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 11:00 am
I am a journalist and I care about fake newspapers. Happy that legit reporters are speaking up about the papers. Let’s hope the Board of elections finally does the right thing legally speaking and fines the rolled up pants off of Dan Proft and his ilk. They deserve it.
Comment by who cares Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 11:17 am
Proft’s papers are fake and should be heavily fined by the board of elections. If the main outlets aren’t covering this as they should be, that’s a problem.
Comment by truethat Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 11:21 am
Is he serious? The Sun-Times has always been liberal. The Tribune is now liberal. CNN has stated they are doing everything they can to promote Hillary. ABC, NBC, and CBS are doing the same.
And when one tiny rinky-dink publication does the opposite, the “legit” media throws a hissy-fit?
Pot meet kettle.
Comment by Rhino Slider Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 12:23 pm
Well said. I agree OW and walker, BUT you may be a little inside baseball. Many people may be inaware of how political organizations are creating these fake papers. its news tat people should know. i
Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 12:59 pm
But does Dan Proft’s newspaper have the horoscopes?
Comment by Timmeh Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 2:56 pm
@Rhino Slider
One - Proft isn’t a conservative so not sure what’s got your dander up. He goes with the highest bidder. Two - his papers attacked Republican candidates when he’s pals were running. All paid for by Rauner and Zell cash. You cant pretend to be a newspaper when your PAC is paying for it and try to fool the voters. Very seedy stuff.
Comment by RHINOSLAYER Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 3:29 pm
These fake newspapers are having the desired effect on some, got my parents all fired up about MJM. Took me an hour to try and explain to them what these “papers” really are about and who is behind them. Still don’t know if it did any good though.
Comment by South Illinoisian Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 4:00 pm
The reality is that ‘Proft News’ is a vital pillar in the Rauner political strategy. There are goals and regular reporting requirements through a chain of command all the way up to Boss Rauner.
Big busininess folks like Rauner expect their return, and Proft News does not want to be cut off from its main revenue stream.
“Ya better produce,” says Bruce.
Comment by Winnin' Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 4:24 pm
The Tribune is liberal? Did anyone let them know?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 22, 16 @ 5:18 pm