Illinois Policy Institute to buy IRN
Monday, Jan 4, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Bernie reported over the break that the Illinois Policy Institute’s news arm is buying the Illinois Radio Network…
“We are thrilled to have Illinois Radio Network becoming a part of INN,” said John Tillman, CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, in a news release. “Both organizations have a history of promoting transparency and accountability in government. And we look forward to continuing that fine tradition.” […]
Mike Lawrence, a longtime Statehouse reporter who became former GOP Gov. Jim Edgar’s press secretary and is retired from being director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, called the sale an “unfortunate development.”
“The Illinois Policy Institute … is a group that has a very definite ideological agenda, and I would be surprised if it did anything else other than to advance that agenda through its newly acquired operation,” Lawrence said. […]
“We’ve done our due diligence,” [Charlie Ferguson, vice president and general manager of Capitol Radio Group] said in an interview, “and we are very confident that INN will maintain and operate the Illinois Radio Network as a separate news organization. … It’s my belief that the reporters for the Illinois Radio Network will continue to deliver an unbiased news product. I think to presume otherwise is just somebody wanting to bend it their way.”
But, as Bernie later reported, IRN was once owned by former Democratic US Senate candidate Alex Seith. And it seemed to function OK back then.
You may also recall that the Chicago Federation of Labor once owned WCFL Radio.
Radio is a really conservative beast these days anyway. I don’t think it’s time to declare the end of the world.
* But this is what I’ll be watching at least for a while…
INN’s website says it operates independently of the policy institute in editorial decisions, but both House and Senate staffs have denied INN reporters floor press box credentials because of INN’s tie to the policy group. For instance, Gov. BRUCE RAUNER’s family foundation gave at least $625,000 to the institute since 2009.
The Policy Institute took the House and Senate to court over the denial of press credentials to the INN, but failed to prevail in its lawsuit.
Rikeesha Phelon, spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, said earlier this week that Illinois Radio Network applications for press credentials would be re-evaluated, “given their new affiliation with the Illinois Policy Institute.”
Thoughts?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 11:55 am:
When I read this over “break” only two things came into my mind on this Purchase;
Instant “Media Credibility”.
Press Credentials at the State House.
Let’s not forget the $600K Rauner has donated that may have found its way into the purchasing of IRN.
Rauner isn’t dropping $600K unless there’s a long-term reason for it, and now the ROI has come to pass.
“Rauner Radio is on the Air!” , lol
- wordslinger - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 11:58 am:
Where did they got the dough?
Just kidding.
- Albany Park Patriot - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 11:59 am:
What terrible news for journalism in Illinois.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 12:12 pm:
The Tribbies should take note.
No one buys a cow when they’re getting milk for free.
- LizPhairTax - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 12:12 pm:
Will Dave Dahl’s sharing thermos be eliminated as a needless handout?
I hope they don’t mess with him. He is one of the best.
- Runbikeswim - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 12:28 pm:
Willy - I thought the exact same thing. If you can’t beat them - buy them. I guess money really can buy you love or at least friendly radio-love.
- Anonin' - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 12:35 pm:
We recall the “policy group” was rejected ’cause they are registered lobbyists …just like HandyoutAndy.
- Dirty Red - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 12:39 pm:
Either IPI finally found a way to get the press credentials it has long sought or an office just opened up in the press room.
- Newsclown - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 12:44 pm:
It’s an interesting back-door strategy. But not new. There was a Chicago guy in the 90’s, flogged a kind of “journal”, where conservative republicans could plant quotes or fake accusations, and then turn them around to quote as a “news source” for campaign materials. Kind of the same synergy the Right has with FOX News. The service was for rent to anybody willing to pay, but few did, and I remember the guy who ran the operation once showed up to an Edgar presser, only to get tossed as “uncredentialed media”.
More recently we saw a conservative radio guy who paid for his airtime on WIND, interrupt press conferences to ask set-up “gotcha” questions; he almost got into a fist fight with some Chicago TV reporter whose interview was being interrupted.
IPI keeps pushing to get into “the show” to earn credibility it can convert into influence in the same way. We’re probably going to see more test cases come to court as these fake journalism operations keep pushing to sit at the Adults table… i.e. the press box in the House and Senate.
Hail Hydra!
This is why we can’t have nice things.
- deadguy - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 12:52 pm:
People still listen to radios? How cute.
- illini - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 1:05 pm:
Isn’t it amazing what you can do with an extra $600,000! Instant credibility and press credentials. Probably a good investment for BVR.
So now the State of Illinois will have its own version of Fox News. Listeners beware of the “spin” that will surely be coming.
- Austin Blvd - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 1:09 pm:
Aside from integrity issues, what are the tax implications on Illinois of a non-profit-owned news operation? Will the state be a net tax loser, or can IPI operate a for-profit business? What is the governance structure?
- Hank - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 1:38 pm:
Dave Dahl is not part of the new regime. He and the current news director are gone after the transition.
Their Chicago reporter, John Gregory, is staying put. So is their sports guy. Heard WTAX is already dropping out as an affiliate. Likely KOMX and/or WBBM will be next.
- Union Man - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 1:38 pm:
Goebbels grabs more?
- No more idiots - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 1:43 pm:
@newsclown
To to be honest here, I think you are referring to Bill Kelly and at the time Kelly was a blogger for the Washington Times newspaper. WIND wasn’t honest about that. If you look at the video of the press conference on the side walk, it was CBS reporter Jay Levine that threatened Kelly not vice versa. This kind of stuff doesn’t appeal to me either but let’s at least be honest.
- Peter - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 1:46 pm:
I already dropped their thirty minute Eye on Illinois program from the schedule this last weekend and we’re keeping an eye on their newsfeed content.
This is Learfield’s opportunity to enter the state and they will mop the floor with what is left of IRN.
- illini - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 1:56 pm:
Hank - It is KMOX ( not KOMX - typo, I’m sure ). and WBBM - I hope you are correct that they drop as well. Granted, KMOX has not had regular or consistent feeds, but Dave Dahl has been on the stations newscasts fairly consistently when the topic involves State House politics.
- Hon. Don Gerard - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 2:01 pm:
I hope we will still be hearing Dave Dahl on WDWS. It would be a shame if Champaign experienced another transcendental issue like the urban hens ordinance arose and we didn’t have Double D providing ninety seconds of terrible puns.
- 'Nough Said - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 2:04 pm:
Agree, this is basically just paid programming now. If I would have known, I would have bought IRN myself. $600K is pretty cheap although essentially not a profitable entity.
- Beaner - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 2:43 pm:
Concern we are allowing unidentified shadow groups to have a material impact on new coverage. More transparency please.
- Norseman - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 2:53 pm:
=== “unfortunate development.” ===
Indeed!
- Hank - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 3:06 pm:
Yes, I meant KMOX. Typing on a cell is hard.
Learfield had the chance to buy IRN when they purchased other Saga Communications networks in Minnesota and Michigan late in 2014. They reportedly had no interest in bringing along IRN, and the staffs at the other two networks were largely laid off after that switch.
If some other entity can set up a similar operation, only using a flat fee per month model rather than bartering for advertising time, they could easily steal away business from the Policy Institute operation. It may fly under the radar, but IRN covers a lot of stations and guys like Dave and John Gregory are heard by a large audience.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 3:14 pm:
“- Hank - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 1:38 pm:
Dave Dahl is not part of the new regime. He and the current news director are gone after the transition.”
I wonder if this is Dave’s call or theirs. Dave is a class act. Too bad everything IPI touches turns into right wing crap.
- walker - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 3:23 pm:
money = speech
- Muscular - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 4:19 pm:
Rather than consider the objectivity, fairness and quality of the journalism, people are obsessed about how Bruce Rauner spends the money he earns.
- Norseman - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 4:27 pm:
=== Rather than consider the objectivity, fairness and quality of the journalism, people are obsessed about how Bruce Rauner spends the money he earns. ===
The source of the money raises legitimate questions about the objectivity, fairness and quality of the journalism.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 4, 16 @ 7:51 pm:
- runbikeswim -
Yep, it’s a bit of an overplay, but a play all the same.
Thanks.