Why the DMN sucks

Here's a post from the DMN's veteran (over 25 years) TV critic Ed Bark. The post is part of a reply he gave to a D Magazine reporter regarding the DMN banning coverage/critiques of the four local TV stations:

'Our ban on coverage or critiquing of the locals, dating to Feb. 2000, is a continued source of frustration and embarrassment. I've argued the case for years, but recently got smacked down again by various levels of decision-makers.
Anyway, the ban seems especially foolhardy in light of our new direction toward localism. I'm probably being more blunt than I should be during these decidedly tenuous times at the DMN. But everyone at every level of the paper and the corporation knows exactly how I feel about this, so what the hell.
Still, it was nice of you to take notice. Ignoring the history of local TV news in the seventh largest market in the country is not a wise policy. If only I had any hope anymore that it would someday be rescinded."

Of course, since Belo owns the DMN and the local ABC affiliate, perhaps the DMN suits didn't feel it would be "fair" to have its TV writer critiquing the locals.

Whatta bunch a' bozos.

 

So a major metro newspaper provides no coverage of local television?

Asinine.

 

I hope airing that publicly doesn't come back to bite Bark, who does a good job.

 

Sounds like he no longer cares if it does.

 

I have a feeling if DMN bounced him, FW would pick him up in a heartbeat. That'd be a huge feather in the S-T cap.

 

guy's got balls. good for him.

 

Wonder what happened in Feb. 2000 to get the ban started.

 

Belo Corp. (which owns both the DMN and WFAA-TV, Channel 8 ) was grandfathered-in under the FCC's ban of ownership of TV and newspapers in the same media market.

With that in mind, I suppose the DMN decided to hold off on critiquing the local media. Doing so would've shown a perceived bias. (And rightly so.)

That's the reason Barry Horn gives the likes oof Vin Scully and Myron Cope a slobber job every week instead of home-grown Norm Hitzges and Brad Sham.

 

Belo owned the DMN and Channel 8 long before the FCC ruling in 2000. And back in the day, local TV critics could write about, well, local guys. This is about The DMN Suits making editorial policy which is just Fing stupid.

 

It has nothing to do with perceived bias or conflict of interest. They don't want the critics letting readers and viewers know the TV emperors have no clothes.

 

Actually the FCC rule extends to 1975. That's how the Tribune has maintained ownership of Channel 9 (and the DMN Channel 8 in Dallas.)

http://www.mediaaccess.org/news/ChicagoTribMOarticle02-11-04.htm

 

in this case, it sounds like Bark is worse than his bite.