Hundreds protest turmoil at Santa Barbara newspaper

[struggle4progress]

Posted on Tue, Jul. 18, 2006
Associated Press

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Several hundred people gathered Tuesday for a protest outside the Santa Barbara News-Press, with speakers saying the newspaper has lost credibility following the resignation of several top editors.

It was the second rally in several days targeting the newspaper's owner, whom nine editorial staff accused of meddling in coverage before they quit.

Among those who spoke were Mayor Marty Blum and Goleta Mayor Jonny Wallis.

"The mayors talked about why a credible newspaper is needed in their cities," said David Pritchett, an ecologist who helped organize the event ...

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/state/15068157.htm

[babylonsister]

1. What's the beef here?

"Last week, McCaw said that the former employees were tainting the news with their personal opinions."

'Personal opinions' were never elaborated on; what's the skinny?

[Lerkfish]

2. not entirely sure yet....it almost appears as if the owner

champions a lot of 'green' issues like ecology and whatnot. Also, the mayor I think has his own rival paper (seems I read that, if wrong, sorry) and its hard to tell if its an attempt to shut down a left wing paper?
does anyone know more? I'm not buying the spin either way yet.
It would seem to me, at the very least, that the owner has the right to determine political slant.

but hey, I'm in the dark on this one. I hope we find out more.

[struggle4progress]

3. Hard right turn in owner's management style: paper apparently ..

going downhill quickly. Longterm staff resigning, upset editorial philosophy affecting news coverage: so owner, covering butt, echos charge back to muddy the waters ...

Previous DU thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=109&topic_id=26560

[brook]

5. For your reading pleasure:

Here

Also google Craig McCaw, the source of her millions= the price he paid for trading her in for a newer model- who is a Bush appointed Madam Ambassador.

[pfitz59]

4. McCaw's are scum....

Billionaire Bushbots.

[rustydad]

6. Wendy McCaw

It is she who owns the Santa Barbara News Press having purchased it from the New York Times Publications 10 years or so ago. She is a strange bird. A libertarian, animal rights advocate, and recluse. She came to town and bought the paper and a mansion on the ocean bluff in exclusive Hope Ranch. The prior owner of the mansion sought permits to build a gazebo on the bluff but the California Coastal Commission would not give the permit unless the owner allowed the public access to the narrow sandy beach below the bluff. The owner agreed and deeded access to the public. When McCaw came along she challanged the easement saying it was extortion. She lost in every court up to the Supreme Court. Ever sense that the paper has never had a fair article come out about the Coastal Commission. She went bonkers in the paper about the Nation Park Service plans to restore the Channel Islands National Park by eliminating rats and feril pigs and wild horses.

This latest fiasco came about when actor Rob Lowe wanted to build a huge monster mansion in up scale Montecito. The planning commission turned him down after neighbors bitterly complaigned. In responce he denounced the neighbors and gave their names and addresses in public testimony. The reporter covering the hearings mentioned the street address of the proposed house in his story. Wendy McCaw and her right hand man at the paper, Travis Armstrong, went ballastic. They demanded that no addresses of famous people ever be part of a story. Even though in this case Rob Lowes address is part of the public record and on his permit applications.

This is what started the ball rolling. One thing led to another and long time editors and reporters started leaving. The editorial staff is now gutted and the paper disfunctional. It is sad because it had been one of the best local papers in the nation. I know all this because I live in Santa Barbara. Bob

[Peace Patriot]

7. Christ, the super-rich squabble like cats, while the country and the world

go up in flames! What a sorry tale!

And, typical of the Bushite super-rich, lots of collateral damage--the blood of a good newspaper splattered all over the wall.

Is this what Thomas Jefferson meant by "the pursuit of happiness"? I think not.

Once we restore our right to vote, I think we should embark on true Leftist program of soaking the rich, and aim for half the income of fuckers like these to be returned to the government of the people WHO PRESERVED CALIFORNIA'S COAST FOR EVERYONE'S USE, by which these rich assholes are now BENEFITING in EXHORBITANT coastal property value!

O-o-o-o-o this makes me mad!