Media Mutt

At a Loss for Periods

Submitted by Al Diamon on Thu, 06/19/2008 - 11:02am.

Take a deep breath: From the June 18 issue of the Original Irregular, a weekly newspaper published in Kingfield:
"Green ideas have produced numerous political ribbon cutting ceremonies over the decades, but seldom do these green events get to enjoy long term anniversaries such as

Blethen Files Suit Against Guild

Submitted by Al Diamon on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 7:59am.

The Blethen Maine Newspapers, owners of the Portland Press Herald and other dailies in the state, filed suit on June 17 in U.S. District Court in Portland seeking to resolve the legal question of whether its contract with Local 128 of the Newspaper Guild is binding on future owners.

The union contends language in the agreement clearly requires a new owner to abide by the agreement, which runs through 2011. The Guild represents most employees at the Portland paper.

It Takes a Village...

Submitted by Al Diamon on Tue, 06/17/2008 - 2:10pm.

The Courier newspapers are in the Soup. The Village Soup, that is.

Village NetMedia Inc., which operates the Village Soup Web sites and publishes the Waldo County Citizen and Knox County Times weeklies, announced today that it has purchased rival Courier Publications, a chain of six weekly

Repeat Offender

Submitted by Al Diamon on Fri, 06/13/2008 - 4:48pm.

Simple thing: Here's the rule: If a news organization has a conflict of interest or the appearance of one, disclose it. Always. No exceptions. To do anything less reduces the credibility of the journalism being produced by that outlet. Clear enough? So, how come the Blethen Maine Newspapers can't seem to get it right?

The Best, Brightest - and Likeliest to Leave

Submitted by Al Diamon on Tue, 06/10/2008 - 6:33am.

Old and in the way. The Portland Press Herald, faced with declining revenues and increasing expenses, is offering its workers a "voluntary separation plan," according to a story in the June 10 edition.

Blethen Sale On Hold?

Submitted by Al Diamon on Fri, 06/06/2008 - 1:59pm.

According to pseudonymous blogger T. Cushing Munjoy, the sale of the Blethen Maine Newspapers - the Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Telegram, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel - is on hold. Munjoy, who until recently offered daily critiques of the

Not a Party Animal

Submitted by Al Diamon on Fri, 06/06/2008 - 5:41am.

Nonpartisan: On June 3, the Lewiston Sun Journal ran a long story by reporter Rebekah Metzler on the primary race between retired Lewiston fire chief Mike Lajoie and current Lewiston Mayor Larry Gilbert for a seat in the Maine House of Representatives.

The Ax Looms

Submitted by Al Diamon on Mon, 06/02/2008 - 6:59pm.

Employees at the Portland Press Herald got the grim news in the company newsletter late last week. Advertising revenue continues to decline. Energy and health-care costs keep increasing. And cuts in spending in such areas as newsprint, travel and office supplies won't make up the difference.

"Unfortunately,

Semi-ethical

Submitted by Al Diamon on Fri, 05/30/2008 - 4:25pm.

Disappearing disclaimer: Just when it appeared the Blethen Maine Newspapers - the Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Telegram, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel - had awoken from their ethical snooze and decided to be clear about their conflict of interest in covering Plum Timber

Sound the Irony Alarm

Submitted by Al Diamon on Tue, 05/27/2008 - 6:39am.

Midcoast

Ironic icon: On May 26, the Blethen Maine Newspapers-owned Maine Sunday Telegram ran an editorial cartoon by Steve Meyers criticizing the Maine Legislature for failing to pass ethics rules dealing with conflicts of interest. Directly below Meyers' drawing was a column by editorial page editor John

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