News-Press on NLRB: Let's Tell Just Our Part of the Story
Yesterday, the News-Press ran a short "Staff Report" on two charges that were dropped but failed to mention that the NLRB is prosecuting them to reinstate the Illegally-Fired...where's the wall? Yet another example of the News-Press not giving their readers the whole story -- making the newspaper more of a PR piece than a place to get the news.
Labels: NLRB, Santa Barbara News-Press
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 6/10/2007 10:53:00 AM
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Here are two more examples of how the News-Press is becoming a PR publication.
On Friday, there was an editorial on the importance of donating eyeglasses for needy people and who's handling the project locally.
On Saturday, there was a Page 1 press release piece on how you can donate them. Sure, it's a worthy cause, but not Page 1 "news" in any respectable newspaper.
And let's not forget back in April the glowing PR-like review of Rick Caruso's plans for the Miramar -- only thinly disguised as a news story by Scott Steepleton. A few days later it was followed by an editorial, again gushing over the project.
Welcome to the new News-Press, folks. Plenty of bias -- for all to see.
I am having a hard time Sara. On another blog--Craig Smith's--I learned Travis wrote a "withering" (Craig Smith's word) response to Mayor Blum's letter. But of course, Travis arranged so that we can't see it. Then today, I discovered that Dr. Laura has written something mentioning her son.
So here I sit, frustrated, and eager to know the details. I feel left out.
All of this is because I am NOT subscribing to the paper. How about someone who is, and reads Sara's blog, sending over here the above two items so we can read them.
Thanks.
To those following the sad story, this is no surprise at all the News-Mess only reports on what makes it look good while ignoring the rest of the story about what makes it look bad, such as the federal agency NLRB prosecuting Ampersand in federal court.
The evidence is building higher about how corrupt and ethically and morally bankrupt any decider at the News-Mess really is. Why, then, would County Supercisor Salud Carbajal meet in private with Travis Armstrong and then call the friend who wonders about that "dumb?"
This has been part of the pattern ever since the NLRB became part of the SBNP Mess scene in August. The NP has found it appropriate to cover when charges against it were dropped, but neglected to mention when its charges against the union were dismissed (as all of the NP's have been), has omitted NLRB prosecution announcements against it in December (Melinda Burns' firing, suspension threats, Starshine column), March (eight firings, "McCaw, Obey the Law" buttons and posters illegally banned, and other items), April (Millstein intrusion into union meeting) and at the end of May (all of the above plus Guiliano firing). In January, the NP's articles made it sound almost as if it were winning the NLRB hearing (because the union's motion to dismiss the objections in the middle of the hearing was denied), but somehow neglected to mention the ALJ's crushing decision totally rejecting its position in March, which featured conclusions that Travis Armstrong and Scott Steepleton were result-oriented liars, and that their lawyer was dishonest in her arguments as well.
We look forward to the coverage in August, journalism of liars about liars. The editorials might be over the top, too.
It''s obivios Dr. Laura Schlessinger has more to say. She will answer letters if you"re for civility.
Windy and Nip Nip have also seized control of the business pages -- there was a long and fawning centerpiece about another billionaire's high-end chef.
Wendy McCaw make no pretense that there is any "wall" between her opinion and the public's "news."
Scott Steepleton is only the "associate editor," she is the editor-in-chief, along with her foodie writer.
Jerry Roberts is right in his on-lie op-ed: McCaw has repositioned her paper to attack her enemies and reward her friends.
As with her L.A. Times exchange with Lou Cannon, the owner comes off as not too bright, somewhat wacked and completely out of touch with the "little people."
Why write about the two dropped charges? To flaunt misleading the public about the existence of the many remaining charges going to trial?
That's as smart as demolishing the staff of local reporters to practically nothing in an age when everyone gets wire stories for free, on-line, without advertisements.
What's the paper going to carry on page one when Wendy is doing her Paris Hilton sobbing "it's not right" imitation on the NLRB stand? Another HUGE furry animal photo?
Sad to say, the News-Press has become a rag.
Wendy McCaw's rag.
What passes as local news depends on her mood, whim and what Nipper serves her for breakfast.
It is why the other newspapers and the blogs are thriving.
It is why readers are quitting in droves.
Help me out here. NewPress is asking me a little poll called "Consumer Satisfaction Survey" on the back of their renewal form. I assume I can send this back even if I do not renew.
Survey Questions:
1. Gender (no GLBT options)
2. Age: 18-34; 35-54; 55 and over
3. and 4. Delivery service questions
5. What is your most liked feature of the newspaper and why? (3 lousy little lines)
6. What is your least liked feature of the newpaper and why? (3 lousy little lines)
7. May we have your email address?
NOOOOOOOOO - I don't want any one down there dumping child pornography on MY computer.
Sorry DJ -- don't have the original text and would be loathe to publish it without permission as this is an important issue at the News-Press. perhaps someone can give us some snippets of the key points however.
People can go to the library and read the NewsPress if they want to track a particular article - make one subscription serve dozens. Some smug justice in that.
Sara: Is the problem of republishing an editorial and a columnist's column a matter of copyright infringement? If so, what is "fair" use on a blog? It's perhaps unique to have a local newspaper that censors the public non-remunerative re-use of its own work product.
I guess relevent snippets is a safer course. Of course, when you look at the NY Times on the net...most of it is free, open to comment, and yes even quotation and copying. But then that's a real newspaper.
One last thing. I know there are a lot of frustrated ex-staffers that are here on the blog. I think I understand what you're trying to accomplish. But if you interested, I think the best course of action is not to pick at the remaining staffers (I make Travis, an exception to this rule). The best course of action is to explain to us civilians (newspaper readers), over and over again, the precise principles and nature of journalism, and how that practice is violated everyday at the Newspress.
I enjoy hearing from the professionals here--their myriad comments on how to do journalism. Let us here more of what a "good" newspaper is and how you make one--everyday. It's an education for us.
Doesn't Wendy McCaw get it?
Her complete lack of ethics -- illustrated by the above "staff report" -- is why dozens of respected professional journalists have walked out, projecting McCaw across the country as untrustworthy and incompetent.
These are her own actions. She can't play the victim or blame others.
What's the motivation? Is she sick, too dumb to get it, or just so pissed that she can't think straight?
Laura's rambling rant today praises the sacrifice of the only son in war. One of her boy's buddies died in combat and the boy is having his first experience with someone close to him dying in combat. Laura says the West must defend freedom by making the most horrific sacrifice it knows: the death of the only son.
Laura then brings up Marty Blum, stem cell research, abortion, employer/employee relations, and some kind of military socks you can order.
Just another warm and fuzzy column by Laura.
The NP has always been a PR publication. There is a difference now, compared to yesteryear. Now it is status quo. The NP affiliate....the radio show I happened upon @ 1290 A.M. was a "travel show." Baron Arthur Von W. was on air with a severely Britished accented chap. Preceeding interviews of affordable (if dishwashers grouped together) were Mexican Villa vacations promotions. Also, there was an interview/promotional of a "non-profit" elder hostel organization. Arthur V.Wberger and the severely accented English chap-guest promoted questions that resulted in suggestions on how to donate to such a worthy cause for retired doctors.
Didn't TKA recenty challenge local non-profits in his editorials? I couldn't agree more that the non-profit status is overly used and abused. But what the freak is going on with this local News Press and it's affiliates for airing such a grotesque radio show?
DJ -- it is a matter of copyright infringement. If I "republish" and entire article without permission -- many newspapers don't care because it is free publicity if I attribute them but the News_press has proven that they don't feel the same way. They went after Edhat for republishing obituaries that were freely available on their web site even though the rest of their web site is via subscription. These articles are definitely behind the "pay" wall.
Our readers might be interested in the Electronic Frontier Foundation's Legal Guide for Bloggers.
Dr. Laura's column today contained this ironic snippet:
"The right attitude: Just in case you missed his profile in Scene magazine (News-Press, June 8), Mark Sherman, the owner of Aldo's on State Street, is quoted as saying, "I am so proud of how many people I've helped put through school, how many families I've helped raise, how many people I've helped get out of debt, just by being an employer. That is a source of great value."
I was profoundly struck by his attitude as an employer. I'm sure his employees are unbelievably loyal and hardworking, as respect engenders same."
So the good "doctor" recognizes that employee loyalty flows from employer kindness and empathy to the workforce, not punitive dishonest trampling on people's rights and values. Does Laura "get it" that her benefactor suffers from the negative side of this coin, and that Wendy/Steepleton/Armstrong/Apodaca and the lawyer amigos are the reason why the SBNP employees are unhappy and have fled and/or have sought union representation?
Wendy McCaw and Arthur von Weinsenberger reporting on the favorable side of the NLRB hearing and not the unfavorable side?
Pre·var·i·ca·tion
n.
[L. praevaricatio: cf. F. prévarication.]
1. The act of prevaricating, shuffling, or quibbling, to evade the truth or the disclosure of truth; a deviation from the truth and fair dealing.
The august tribunal of the skies, where no prevarication shall avail.
Cowper.
2. A secret abuse in the exercise of a public office.
3. (Law) (a) (Roman Law) The collusion of an informer with the defendant, for the purpose of making a sham prosecution. (b) (Common Law) A false or deceitful seeming to undertake a thing for the purpose of defeating or destroying it. Cowell.
What did the last NLRB judge call the testimony of one of the News-Press' key editors?
"Extreme embellishment"?
What would anyone call the latest News-Press reporting about its NLRB fiasco?
em·bel·lish (ĕm-bĕl'ĭsh)
tr.v., -lished, -lish·ing, -lish·es.
To add ornamental or fictitious details to: a fanciful account that embellishes the true story.
[Middle English embelishen, from Old French embellir, embelliss- : en-, causative pref.; see en–1 + bel, beautiful (from Latin bellus).]
embellisher em·bel'lish·er n.
Read all about it in the Santa Barbara New-Press!!
"TWO UNION CHARGES AGAINST PAPER DROPPED"
Staff report
Saturday, June 9, 2007
"SANTA BARBARA Two unfair labor practice charges filed by an arm of the Teamsters Union against News-Press parent company Ampersand Publishing LLC have been withdrawn." Etc.
http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=LOCAL&ID=565031050565255217
And more from Publisher Wendy McCaw!!
“There is no place for personal opinion or agendas in news coverage.”
“We are in the process of hiring a new editor who is a strong journalist with impeccable credentials to be the buffer between the newsroom and the publisher. Arthur Von Wiesenberger and I are the co-publishers of the News-Press.”
“One of the basic tenets of good reporting is that there are always two sides to every story.”
“A new chapter in this paper's history is unfolding.”
WENDY MCCAW
July 25, 2006
“Setting the Record Straight”
http://www.newspress.com/npsite/commentaries/wm_1.html
Sara your post suggesting that the News Press is "more of a PR piece than a place to get the news." seems to be substantiated in Craig Smiths blog this morning>>>http://www.west.net/~smith/blog/index.shtml The "News is nothing more than PR and the PR can be canceled just as subscriptions can be canceled!
Regarding last weekend's prominent placement of the eyeglass donation press releases, please note that the owner of that business was the guy who filed and lost a federal lawsuit trying to stop the pig eradication program on the Channel Islands. I'm sure that effort and subsequent fawning attention by the SBNP had nothing to do with last week-ends eyeglass-gate. Yeah, sure.
Wow, I just Zened some new angles to support my cause...
Folks, do you realize if you allow Goleta to fill all the open space with housing, these thousands of newbies will probably subscribe to the SBNP to get all the local news? Can you just imagine the crowing from De La Guerra Plaza over the increased subscriptions? They might even agree with all those editorial opinions supporting slow growth and such. I strongly urge you all to contact the Goleta councilpeople to subvert this looming tradgedy.
I also think it would be a great idea for you to contact Carbajal and Wolfe to have them take (by eminent domain) the open space property now designated for the UCSB North Campus (creek polluting, car gas guzzling, pedestrian child endangering, wildlife threatening, city budget busting, law enforcement increase requiring) condo developments. We can then use the space for a non bare bones Botanical Garden thus freeing the Mission Canyon folks from worry about increased traffic and their ability to quickly evacuate in an emergency.
It's Win-Win babies, get on the train we're leaving the station, whooo whooo
(60 posts in 48 hours excoriating the same old thing, are you kidding me?)
Public relations is what it's about. Did Dr. Laura predict her sons demise or what? Now you scarifice your sons. What was she thinking with the traffic comparison? All the military Moms agree with her? Is McCaw supporting war now?
Agree, "non-profits" are often groups that are created solely to obtain grant money from foundations or government, and then stay in existence only to keep the grant money coming in to pay their "directors" salaries.
No one really is holding them accountable for results --- or damages inflicted on other as they wrecklessly carry out their "good works" (mainly justifying keeping the money stream going for their own benefit).
Yet, they also carry way to much opinion and policy making clout simply because we like to think nice things about "non-profits". When in fact they are just one more way to say "welfare moms", without the lower-class taint.
NGO's are widely considered the worst way to screw up a developing country as well. We need to stop feeding them.
Thanks for rasing this issue because this town is way overloaded with way too many self-serving "non-profits" who ultimately are causing a lot of damage supporting their counter-productive charges.
Thanks, Anonymous number 14 (at 1:31 pm), for educating us all about the perils of non-profit non-governmental organizations.
You totally have me convinced instead to trust my life, liberty, economy, and everything holy to the tender mercies of Exxon, Haliburton, Accenture, Bechtel, and BHP Billiton instead.
I feel so much better that the gang violence in Santa Barbara will be solved by these highly for-profit corporations instead!
SA 1: That huge quantity of apartments going up just North of Isla Vista by the football stadium is done by the University, and what is planned and being built even farther Northward, once belonged to Charles Storke, I think. He sold it to a wonderful guy who was going to do something very upscale and well planned many years ago. In the community process it got turned down--back when growth was a bad word. You can see his kind of splendid development in Montecito. The powers that be have now changed and the new kids on the block have the power--and look what you've got! I remember reading that the population density in Isla Vista is something like Bangladesh. And when it's finished it's going to be even higher.
Why should I believe that Goleta is going to protect the urban boundary line on the West?
Saying all NGOs are bad because of a few you don't like is like saying all newspapers are bad because of the NP.
Many NGOs (Human Rights Watch, Direct Relief International, etc) are the best possible thing for assisting our world become a better, safer and more healthy place for humans to live
1:31 PM- Wow. That has got to be about the most ignorant post I've ever read about nonprofit organizations. It is very easy for the public to hold nonprofits acountable & to know how much money is being spent on programs vs administration. Education, healthcare, the arts, the environment, social services, etc- the majority of nonprofits are making our world a much better & more humane place to live.
Sure, sometimes there are bad apples found in nonprofits just like they are found in the business & government sectors. Which has little to do with the organization, but more to do with the nature of human beings.
"6:29 PM: Anonymous said...
Saying all NGOs are bad because of a few you don't like is like saying all newspapers are bad because of the NP."
Right on. And dumping on the SB Eyeglass Factory for getting the publicity (I assume that was what was referred to - I don't see the NP-M) was similarly mean-spirited. Certainly, the owner of the business supported a cause dear to the Wendy/Armstrong, but I doubt he did so for that reason --- and, more importantly, the company is very generous in providing glasses for low-income youth and others who cannot afford.
Trashing everything the friend of my enemy does is not unlike Travis single-mindedly bashing Marty, as he did Supes. Susan Rose and Gail Marshall. It's singing the same angry and counterproductive tune, imo.
"Why should I believe that Goleta is going to protect the urban boundary line on the West? "
The county won't even let them (Goleta) control their own money, they certainly won't let them make any decision on land use outside the border.
Don't you like the idea of a Botanical Gardens next to the bluffs and the butterfly preserve? Maybe a local artists sculpture area and a green sustainble community info kiosk, stroll out to the beach to watch the dolphins and seals. Cruise over to the Hollister Brewing Company for a snack and a cold one...I bet Mr. Storke would approve.
Never thought that idea would be so ridiculously impossible nowadays.
anon 6/11 @ 6:29
I have no comment about the NGOs you suggest as "assisting our world" and their validity. Without carefull scrutiny I would not discredit them. I suspect that when George Bush Sr. speech writers added the emotinal "thousand points of light" concept that it cheapened Non-Profit Organizations. My observations here, in the much celebrated tiny little town of several hundred non-profits, is one of mixed review in evaluating the validity of NGOs . There are of course many altruistic NGOs and then there are many more self serving that steer our political process and scew representation with their clout. Certain non-profit senior facilities, golf organizations, horsing facilities, car clubs, construction organizations, law enforcement councils, entertainment venues and even watchdog groups seem interested in it for themselves and want to tear down good responsible governement, including law enforcement, for their own survival and regardless of their effectiveness.
I think there are now over 1,000 nonprofits in SB County. Generally, in order to receive funding, nonprofits must prove their effectiveness. It is a highly competitive process that weeds out those who would be self serving.
I think the very successful company, NFL Films is also a 501c [or e?] company, putting back profits they make from the NFL films back into that company or out into the community; how about their effectiveness and validity? ooops NOT SB based...
Uh, back to the subject at hand -- News-Press ethics.
The two big front page stories over the last two days about the private jet that ended up in the former creek bed, the owner of the jet has not been identified.
Is that non-identification because of Wendy's "Rob Lowe policy" -- rich friends of Wendy with private jets aren't identified, even if they shut down the airport?
Or is it the youth and inexperience of the couple of remaining cub reporters, who couldn't even get a quote from someone on board about what it was like?
Lack of ethics vs. lack of competence -- which is it this time?
Bechtel, hmmmmmmmmm. Isn't that the company associated with our own Senator Feinstein's husband?
I am sure everyone has read Craig Smith's account of Travis Armstrong's call to the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce. Everytime you think it can't get worse, Wendy or one of her minions does something new that shows how messed up these people really are. Why anybody would advertise in the NP and support those psychos is beyond me!
I watched "All the President's Men" again last night.
It really drove home how far our local rag has veered away from anything remotely resembling legitimate, ethical, unbiased journalism.
Anyone interested in reading the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics? You can figure out for yourself how many parts of the code have been broken or ignored by the Santa Barbara News-Press. Here is a link:
http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp
To those folks who think it's OK for any idiot to buy a newspaper and run it anyway they want because it's just a private enterprise, here are two questions:
1) Do you feel that includes disregarding this code that ensures you receive the best journalistic product possible?
2) Do you mind having your knowledge manipulated by an eccentric sociopath who cares nothing for you, but enjoys force-feeding you a false reality and then mocking your ignorance?
Just some food for thought. Might want to drink some milk to avoid getting an ulcer thinking about this. And don't forget all the former News-Press journalists who've had the guts to take a stand on this matter at the risk of their careers, professional and personal reputations and financial well-being, for YOUR sake.
Wish The Fired Nine well at the NLRB prosecution of the News-Press on August 14 at the bankruptcy court on State Street in Santa Barbara.
Well said 2:14am! The employees who have left over the last few years due to Wendy's mismanagement have ALL had to make difficult choices. What most people don't understand is how much the NP employees cared about their community and their paper. I was not a current employee when all this happened, but I can assure you that it was a pretty tight and loyal group throughout the building. Yeah, there were the usual kvetches and the occaisional disgruntled employee who would never be happy no matter what, but most people would tell you they really liked their job and looked forward to long term employement at the paper.
Here's a thought for all you splendid reporters of the good 'ol Newspress that got mutilated by Wendy when she fired the best and brightest and then the rest resigned. We've all heard the story that Sarah McCune (Have I got that name right?) offered to buy the Newspress from Wendy and Wendy refused to sell.
So why don't you and Ms. McCune just start up another paper on the Plaza. All the community papers in the past were on the Plaza. Rent some space, and get with it. Write a business plan. Get those advertisements, a web site, and go, go, go. Wendy only owns the name, the news belongs to anyone who wants to write it. If the community likes your stuff, they buy your paper. It's been that way since the 1850s. We often had two competing papers.
Jose - 7:36: your business plan for a new local paper makes a lot of sense.
Be sure to include a home delivery network, and I will subscribe. Run the numbers and let's all see what it takes to create a truly independent, comparable newspaper for this community again.
It is silly to hang on to only a name, when all one has to do is duplicate the effort under a new banner.
We know what counts - and home delivery still counts for a lot. Paris Hilton front page headlines and three successive pages of follow up does not.
Personally, I dont know exactly how to go about doing "home delivery" but I do know my mailbox is always full and my driveway cluttered. Somebody's got it figured out!
Seems like the ways of delivering the news to the homies, is expanding rather than declining. Hey, there are a lot of news junkies right here.
There is already a fine daily paper here and we should support them. Young Entrprenuers, I believe. There are also proven quality reporters working for free. They should join with the young entrpreneurs and a McCune like publisher should finance them for home delivery. How's that for a biz plan?
It's called the Daily Sound. The lack of competition is what continues to fuel the NP disregard for customer satisfaction. It's an old story with an easy answer. All it takes is someone with big enough ovaries to take a risk...
Right on Don Jose!
I know some people who still subscribe & advertise because they say there is no alternative (I disagree but that is their perspective, clinging to the illusion that the NP is the same paper it used to be)
McCune & journalists! Create a new paper with a new name! What a great idea! The time has come.
Where did the (ah hum!) masthead "Daily Sound" come from? Great thinking. Sound just resonates away and keeps me from concentrating on my reading. Why not the "Daily Read?"
Small critique I admit, but really "Daily Sound?"
Good point - plenty of junk flyers are getting delivered every day to our doorsteps. Mail won't work - too late for daily news.
But hiring the junk flyer people must be cost effective for some, why not the Daily Sound?
I'll pay them the same as I paid the NewsPress. Is this a deal? Hope so.
"Salud Carbajal meet in private with Travis Armstrong and then call the friend who wonders about that "dumb?""
Nice bit of dishonestly spun slander there, right out of the SBNP rule book. Carbajal didn't call anyone dumb, he called the claim that he had a "secret" meeting with Armstrong and the implication (which you repeat) that there was something nefarious about his meeting Armstrong "dumb".
DJ De La Guerra,
"Where did the (ah hum!) masthead "Daily Sound" come from? Great thinking."
Just my preferred perception:
1. Often, soundings. the act of measuring the depth of an area of water with or as if with a lead and line. (While leaning over the rail of an unpretentious goleta?)
Just imagine yourself on the deck, on a quiet morning, enveloped in the beauty and depth of the written word.
SA 1
Wouldn't you say: "Daily Sounding"...
Very nautical I must say.
"Wouldn't you say: "Daily Sounding"..."
I'm hoping they didn't want to "Overbuild" the masthead ;-)
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