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* You have to dig through this Daily Egyptian story for the meat, but it’s interesting when you take a little time. Just keep in mind that John Pfeifer retired from his Southern Illinoisan job only last month…
Former publisher of the Southern Illinoisan John Pfeifer repeatedly asked SIU administrators to make changes to the Daily Egyptian’s format so he could be included in the public bidding process to print the student-run newspaper. The Southern Illinoisan eventually did get the contract, but only after the state purchasing officer apparently made a miscalculation based on incorrect dimensions. […]
In 2014, a “swat team” of newspaper professionals was organized by then-director of the School of Journalism William Freivogel to provide ideas on what steps should be taken to ensure the existence of the student media source. Through that team, a number of strategies were floated to right the sinking ship, including limiting the number of runs per week, introducing a new student media fee and outsourcing the print operation.
Pfeifer was one of those brought in as a consultant to discuss the future of the Daily Egyptian.
“One of the recommendations that came out of that group was to close the printing press and outsource the printing sooner rather than later,” Pfeifer said Wednesday, adding that much of his two-year tenure with the Southern was spent attempting to secure the contract. […]
In January 2015, Pfeifer sent an email to Dunn expressing disappointment his company was unable to submit a bid. He noted that looking at outsourcing the print in the near future was his suggestion and wondered why he was “shut out” of the process.
“Seven months later, finding out that printing is moving to Cape Girardeau by reading the DE’s Facebook page seems a rather poor way to treat a business neighbor, community partner and stakeholder in the Daily Egyptian’s future,” he wrote. “Assessing all SIU students an additional $9 in fees and then sending that money to Missouri is simply not right.”
Pfeifer said the outsourcing was a “sore spot” for him and he had questioned reasoning by the student newspaper’s former business manager to retain the tall tab format to reach advertisers.
* Related…
* Dan Proft: Who’s political now? An unvarnished look at the Southern Illinoisan editorial board
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:33 am
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What am I supposed to be commenting on concerning John Pfiefer lobbying for the contract to print the D.E.? Why is that news?
Comment by Saluki Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:41 am
Where’s the unvarnished look? All I see is a bunch of lashing out and whining
Comment by JohnnyPyleDriver Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:43 am
so did it save money or not? Was he the lowest bid or not?
Comment by anon Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:45 am
Dan Proft seems to misunderstand that unvarnished wood is still more stable than heavily-lacquered wet cardboard.
Comment by SinkingShip Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:46 am
I thought it was pretty standard practice in public contracting that the consultants involved in developing a spec or plan cannot then also bid on the work recommended. Is that not the case?
Comment by illini97 Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:46 am
===Why is that news? ===
He was on the working group to decide how the DE can survive and he openly admits to using that position to send business to his newspaper and you don’t think that’s newsworthy?
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:47 am
Proft: “What readers may not know, however, is that the editorial board of the Southern Illinoisan is populated by ‘journalists’ aligned with the Democratic Party and leftist ideals.”
And he bases this sweeping, McCarthylike pronouncement on — wait for it — one endorsement in one gubernatorial race in one year. That’s the evidence he lays out.
This extensive research and analysis are overwhelming. What a journalist!
Comment by Linus Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:50 am
“The Southern
1840 W. North Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622″
Comment by Deft Wing Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:52 am
This is an interesting way to approach the DE issue…two quick points…SOJ planned to quit in house printin’ because the equipment was beyond ancient and space was needed for the Comm. Building rehab….efforts were made to create a procurement exception to help Southern get the printin’ business…BigBrain F* this up with an AV….At various points the Southern opposed the bill…the MO printer was the low bidder…the current “end of the story” is there will only be one print edition a week for what has been a nationally award winning campus paper for many, many years. Will make sustaining a quality journalism program a little more challengin’
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:54 am
Dan is right the Southern is democrat leaning. Just watch their coverage of the Sheila Simon V Paul Schimpf state senate race. Bet on them endorsing Simon when she is so out of step with Southern Illinois it is pathetic.
Comment by the old man Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:54 am
illini97 is correct. All involved should have known that it eas unethical to steer business that way.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:55 am
“there will only be one print edition a week”
So the DE is now the WE?
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 11:03 am
Under the State’s change in procurement laws, no one who consults on a potential job can bid it. I’m sure his paper would be in an uproar if a consultant to the Illinois Lottery suggested a product that his firm then bid on.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 11:06 am
Given college students view what’s only on their phone or I-Pad, why doesn’t the DE go digital only?
Comment by Bogey Golfer Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 11:07 am
= why doesn’t the DE go digital only? =
Advertising.
Comment by Dirty Red Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 11:43 am
To expand what phocion said, this was ex parte communication by Pfeifer and his business should have been barred from bidding on the contract.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 11:49 am
So Proft concludes an endorsement of PQ means they are Ds. He should have looked harder.
Meanwhile Mr/Ms Michelle F. and BG
No question the digital age is growing, but not all dead wood versions gone and it makes sense to train student journalists to work in both areas.
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 11:49 am
“The Southern 1840 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60622″
I saw that too. It’s a bar in Bucktown. South Bucktown, that is.
Comment by City Zen Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 12:19 pm
- the old man - Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 10:54 am:
LOL! The Southern is Republican owned and operated.
What you are saying is if you aren’t a Republican zealot like Proft then you are a democrat.
Comment by Jimmy H Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 12:42 pm
Breese was at least the same amount if not cheaper than The Southern but procurement wasn’t willing to admit to an obvious mistake in calculating the costs that was pointed out several times. Comparing the two presses (Breese vs. The Southern) is like comparing a Mercedes S-Class to a 1989 Ford Escort with a cracked dashboard. The quality aspect was completely disregarded as well during the bid process, so was any conflict of interest. PS — The Daily Egyptian isn’t a weekly newspaper in the sense they have nothing else coming out but what lands in the print edition. For example, the students have posted 8 stories in the last 24 hours. They are posting content every day during the semester.
Comment by Devin Miller Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 3:58 pm
Ssing the word “leftist” over and over and over tells me all I need to know about this “news” paper.
Comment by Southern Dawg Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 4:19 pm
Pfiefer retired? OK, sure.
Comment by dr. reason a, goodwin Thursday, Aug 25, 16 @ 6:37 pm
According to a 07/06/16 news release from Lee Enterprises, “He (Craig Rogers) succeeds John Pfeifer, who has left the company.” I believe from accounts of reliable sources that Mr. Pfeifer’s leaving from The Southern Illinoisan was not of his own volition.
Comment by T-Birds Friday, Sep 9, 16 @ 2:38 pm