David Brauer
R.I.P.: The Political Impact of the Newspaper Institutional Editorial
A fascinating exchange between MinnPost's media writer David Brauer and Star Tribune editorial board writer Jill Burcum
flagged an important milestone in Minnesota public affairs. We passed
it years ago but I have not yet written about it because, quite
frankly, it's painful. I've long respected many of the fine
journalists involved, even the ones I have ideologically disagreed with
most of the time. [Hello, Susan Albright.]
To be blunt, the milestone is that the unsigned editorials -- the institutional voices of our state's two largest newspapers, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press -- have become irrelevant in Minnesota politics.
To summarize the Brauer (here's his piece ) / Burcum (her piece is in the Comments section) exchange: Brauer wrote that the Star Tribune "has shucked its rep as a lefty lightning rod." Further, he noted that the paper has moved away from its "reliably pro-environment rhetoric." But his specific gripe (a legitimate one) is that a Sunday pro-offshore oil drilling editorial should have noted Star Tribune owner Avista Capital Partners' significant economic interest in offshore oil drilling. According to Brauer, Avista has more investments in energy (seven) than its other sectors, health care (six) and media (five), to the tune of at least $338 million, and probably much, much more.
Recall that Avista bought the Star Tribune for $530 million in 2006. The on-the-street, gossipy -- and generous -- valuation of the Star Tribune today is between $100-200 million. That means that Avista has a much greater stake in oil than it does in the Strib. [And for the record, I'm in favor of offshore oil drilling.]
Should the paper have disclosed its owners' substantial oil investment interests?
You bet.
To be blunt, the milestone is that the unsigned editorials -- the institutional voices of our state's two largest newspapers, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press -- have become irrelevant in Minnesota politics.
To summarize the Brauer (here's his piece ) / Burcum (her piece is in the Comments section) exchange: Brauer wrote that the Star Tribune "has shucked its rep as a lefty lightning rod." Further, he noted that the paper has moved away from its "reliably pro-environment rhetoric." But his specific gripe (a legitimate one) is that a Sunday pro-offshore oil drilling editorial should have noted Star Tribune owner Avista Capital Partners' significant economic interest in offshore oil drilling. According to Brauer, Avista has more investments in energy (seven) than its other sectors, health care (six) and media (five), to the tune of at least $338 million, and probably much, much more.
Recall that Avista bought the Star Tribune for $530 million in 2006. The on-the-street, gossipy -- and generous -- valuation of the Star Tribune today is between $100-200 million. That means that Avista has a much greater stake in oil than it does in the Strib. [And for the record, I'm in favor of offshore oil drilling.]
Should the paper have disclosed its owners' substantial oil investment interests?
You bet.
Morning Reports
