Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Help ProPublica and pray for the Tribsters

Posted in:

Illinois

* Just yesterday, ProPublica Illinois and the Chicago Tribune published a dramatic, yet painstakingly researched story on what amounted to torture of public school students by the very adults who were supposed to nurture and educate them.

One day later, the Illinois State Board of Education has been forced to issue emergency rules to stop this blatant child abuse and initiate an investigation.

That, my friends, is impact journalism at its best. So, I’d like to ask you to consider contributing to ProPublica to make sure it can continue publishing stories like this. Click here.

* Also, keep a kind thought in your heads for all Tribune reporters today. Their company’s top shareholder is now this outfit…

Michael Ferro, the largest shareholder in Tribune Publishing Co., sold his 25% stake in the newspaper company for about $118 million to Alden Global Capital LLC, a hedge fund known for making deep cuts to newsrooms. […]

Alden is the backer of MNG Enterprises Inc., which tried unsuccessfully to acquire Gannett Co. for $1.36 billion earlier this year. It also was rebuffed in its efforts to gain board seats at Gannett, owner of USA Today and the Arizona Republic.

Workers at Gannett were concerned that a MNG takeover would take a knife to its operations. MNG, owner of the Denver Post, St. Paul Pioneer Press and other daily newspapers, is known for heavy layoffs. […]

“Alden has a well-established history of harming media institutions and journalists,” the [Chicago Tribune Guild] said. “Still, no matter who owns these shares, we promise to fight as hard as we can to protect our members, improve our company and serve our readers.”

Anyway, don’t forget to donate.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 2:13 pm

Comments

ST could Outlast the Trib…

Comment by DIstant watcher Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 2:32 pm
Ok, this new ownership interest is bad, but any for profit owner would have a similar business model.
Not everyone can work for ProPublica.

Comment by Guilded Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 2:50 pm
===but any for profit owner would have a similar business model===

lol

Nope.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 2:52 pm
These people who say “learn to code” should talk to the people who went back to school during the Great Recession only to discover how many computer science jobs have been outsourced. I’d bet dollars to donuts that most journalists who lose their jobs do far better than those who spit “learn to code” at them do when they lose their jobs, because they have a lot of amorphous skills that are valued in the business world.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 3:25 pm
There is a hurricane bearing down on the Chicago Tribune to give a great American newspaper it’s rebirth. That’s what it takes to hit the reset button at the Trib. Chaos. Tragedy. Heartbreak.

Seriously though I hope everyone in the newsroom is fine, including all the editorialists, even Kass. Venture capitalists only make journalism worse with their meddling.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 3:41 pm
The term “job creators” makes my blood boil as it gets applied indiscriminately to anyone with wealth including the fine folks at Alden Capital.

Comment by The Way I See It Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 4:12 pm
===but any for profit owner would have a similar business model===

There might be something to be said for, um, building a quality business that makes a quality product and maintains a quality workforce and is a valuable member of its community.

Unsolicited advice for ProPublica: as a nonprofit you can add a fee-free donation button to your Facebook page and avoid PayPal fees for your supporters who use that platform.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 4:28 pm
Although Kristen McQueary wanted all stateworkers to get fired, I hope that she doesn’t get the ax by this. I do hope that she understands that her words about stateworkers were hurtful and that she comes to understand that job security shouldn’t be thought of cavalierly like she did.
I sincerely hopes she makes it.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 4:50 pm
That paper really ought to be asking why they give column space to both Eric Zorn and Rex Hupke. They indistinguishable in their perspectives and produce the exact same column.

Comment by Citizen Wayne Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 5:38 pm
Done. Thanks for the nudge to donate

Comment by Bibe Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 7:12 pm
Kristen -
Be careful what you wish for other people, it may visit you.

Comment by Anyone Remember Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 8:10 pm
After being demonized for the past years for everything bad plaguing the state, part of me is quite satisfied at the Trib’s troubles.

And then I remind myself that most of the people who work there have no more control over the content of the opinions than I had over all the problems plaguing the state.

That sort on uncertainty is brutal.

I wish I could wish it on only those who are deserving of it.

But I can’t.

Misfortune falls equally on the good and the bad.

I hope things work out for those folks.

Comment by Morty Wednesday, Nov 20, 19 @ 10:17 pm