Guest Post: Statesman Newspaper’s Woes Deepen


From Bryan Fischer, Idaho Values Alliance
(Halli says: Very similar woes seem to be plaguing the Idaho Falls newspaper as well.)
The Idaho Statesman continues to hemorrhage red ink while trying to stay alive by reducing its outlay for black ink. The situation has gotten so bad at the Statesman that its editor, Mi-Ai Parrish, actually took to the editorial page today to lament the failing fortunes of Idaho’s largest newspaper.
The Statesman will lay off another 5 percent of its workforce, including stripping six jobs from its newsroom. Readers will have already noticed a rapidly thinning newspaper and reporters writing on matters outside their normal beat as the news staff is spread more thinly virtually by the day.
Advertising revenue has taken a precipitous plunge in the newspaper business in general over the last several years as business owners increasingly realize that consumers are fleeing Old Media outlets and relying on electronically delivered sources of information.
Further, the unrepentant and relentless left-leaning tilt of the Statesman’s editorial staff has consistently alienated one-half or more of its potential readership. I have had countless people tell me they have canceled their subscriptions simply because the Statesman’s slant is so obviously biased against conservatives.
For conservatives, the Statesman long ago became more a source of agitation than information.
Michael Jordan was regularly pressed by Democrats to take public positions on controversial political issues. He consistently refused. Why, he was asked? It’s quite simple, he said, “Republicans buy shoes too.” He was too shrewd a businessman to alienate one-half of his customer base.
The Statesman, by failing to promote balance and fairness in its news coverage, and failing to show respect for conservative views, has so offended the majority of the newspaper-buying public in the Treasure Valley that it is perhaps digging its own grave as we speak.
McClatchy, Statesman lay off more workers as advertising sags
Mi-Ai Parrish: In challenging times, we’re focusing on the future | Opinion | Idaho Statesman
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