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* Among other things, the Columbia Journalism Review takes a look at Dan Proft’s network of local papers, Local Government Information Services…
Proft calls concerns about the publications’ funding and transparency hypocritical.
“[W]hen Gateway or you do a story about the AFL-CIO Sun-Times or the Amazon Post raising the same questions and self-reverential ‘concerns’ and getting anywhere near the transparency provided by the enterprises with which I’m associated, then I’ll take inquiries such as yours more seriously,” Proft wrote, referring to The Washington Post owner and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and the union owners of the Sun-Times. “Until then, I will properly see them as the thinly-veiled political attacks they are by those who don’t care to see conservative perspectives and news stories they would never cover make their way into public discussion.” […]
Brian Timpone, who runs the LGIS hyperlocal publications, is critical of nostalgia for local journalism’s fatter days. “Everyone,” he tells CJR, “reminisces about the glory days of the statehouse.” Two decades ago, Timpone worked as a TV reporter and covered the capitol for WCIA-TV. He was also the co-founder of Journatic, which CJR previously called a “local news outsourcing company” and which was submerged in scandal following revelations of fake bylines and plagiarism. (Journatic changed its name to LocalLabs in 2014.)
Timpone blames traditional reporters for helping to push the state toward its fiscal crisis today. “It’s really criminal what happened to Illinois and it all happened at a time when there were a lot more reporters—and nobody said a damn thing,” Timpone says. “All they did was they reported the news of the day like stenographers, and they’re doing the same thing today as they did then.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:05 pm
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So much for the ‘hug a newsperson’ thing.
Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:09 pm
I don’t often say this, but Proft has a point. While Timpone is a good businessman, he sure sucked running campaigns back in the day! /Snark
Comment by Tom Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:24 pm
“self-reverential” LOL
Comment by Molly Maguire Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:24 pm
We’re back to the future where in the past we had so-called newspapers that functioned as the propaganda arm for the parties. Today we have these rags that serve as a tool for the far right.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:27 pm
At this point, Proft and Timpone are as much a journalist as the checks made out to them require.
It’s like doing campaign mail constantly and with filler work and packaged with “kool” feeling “paper” and a couple folds
Proft can’t defend, so, “look at… “
Elevating yourself to the Washington Post or Chicago Sun-Times “left-handedly” to defend yourself is too cute by half.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:31 pm
Anyone can flip through the Sun Times and the Trib, or any newspaper, or scroll through their websites, and see dozens uppn dozens of ads. All of them have departments full of people who sell ads, and collect subscription fees. So it’s fairly clear how those news sources stay afloat.
Proft, by contrast, has no comparable means of suppprt. So its not just politics that prompt the questions. There are lots of people who want to learn his business model.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:34 pm
Profit should be required to use a political disclaimer. After all, PAC newsletters must use them. He is nothing but a political money machine.
Proft isn’t about making a profit.
Comment by Winnin’ Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 3:36 pm
I like how Proft and Timpone act like they’ve risen to some level when in fact they’re the only ones the corp money brokers behind this could get to sink this low.
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 4:07 pm
Brian Timpone
“All they did was they reported the news of the day . . . ”
Um yeah, that’s what actual news reporting mostly is.
News. Editorial. Advertising. When the three of them were distinctly separate there was much less confusion about advertising influenced reporting of facts and editorial opinions.
The Proft Timpone publications are jokes. Political blogs with fake newsy sounding names. Like those calls I get from the “IRS” or “your credit card company” they are so obviously not real news.
Comment by siriusly Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 4:12 pm
–“It’s really criminal what happened to Illinois and it all happened at a time when there were a lot more reporters—and nobody said a damn thing,” Timpone says.–
BS.
There’s quite a difference between “not saying a damn thing” and the voting public not giving a hoot about what’s reported.
Media owners regularly survey their readers, viewers and listeners. If state news were at the top of the list, there would still be reporters in Springfield covering it.
Now, back to clips of “Squirrels on Water Skis….”
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 4:26 pm
Winnin’ Proft isn’t about making a profit.
I am pretty sure the taxpayers of Cicero would disagree.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 5:18 pm
“Amazon Post”. Stay classy big guy. And he is upset that his “papers” are not considered legit when the guy running them is a child.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 5:25 pm
JSM, Proft has an audience of one, the dude who writes the fat checks. Obviously, he’s titillated by Proft’s schtick.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 5:27 pm
=titilated by Proft’s schrick=
Boy does that sound icky. And I am certain you are correct.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Apr 5, 18 @ 6:56 pm
Word you’re correct, the newsies have reported things and did so back in the day whatever that means anymore. Outside of the insiders, No body was reading or listening to what was/is going on in the once great state of until its to late. Apparently the ability to get beyond a 20 second sound bites or the headline is to vexing for most these days.
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Friday, Apr 6, 18 @ 6:14 am