In Unusual Agreement, 'Post-Dispatch' Will Remain 'Liberal' Under Lee

Editor & Publisher ^ | May 13, 2005 | Mark Fitzgerald

[baystaterebel]

When Lee Enterprises Inc. agreed to purchase Pulitzer Inc. for $1.46 billion, it also agreed that the flagship St. Louis Post-Dispatch will keep its longstanding liberal editorial slant for at least the next five years, according to the purchase agreement mailed to Pulitzer shareholders Friday.

"For a period of at least five years following the Effective Time, Parent (Lee Enterprises) will cause the St. Louis Post-Dispatch to maintain its current name and editorial page platform statement and to maintain its news and editorial headquarters in the City of St. Louis, Missouri," the agreement states.

[baystaterebel]

Some much to say, so little space.

[Mister Baredog]

ROTFLMPJO, they actually put it in writing, my my.

[RegulatorCountry]

Hmmm. Nothing to prevent "classical liberal" editorializing, best I can tell.

[Pikamax]

One of the few times they put it in writing?

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Gee, and there are so few of those in this coutry that it's really nice to see this one saved. /sarcasm

[Bahbah]

Fine, I will continue not to buy it.

[Prov3456]

Agreed.

It's nice that the Post-Dispatch has finally made it official and put it in writing. Many of us have known for 20 years of more that they lean left. We quit buying the paper in the early 90's and we can continue to not buy it for at least the next 5 years!

[Che Chihuahua]

The liberals can't persuade a majority of the voters to vote for them. So it's not surprising that they would resort to a contract to force a newspaper to maintain the veneer of acceptance of their aberrant political philosophy.

[SIDENET]

agreed that the flagship St. Louis Post-Dispatch will keep its longstanding liberal editorial slant for at least the next five years

What a great idea! I'm sure that this will do wonders for getting new subscriptions.

[McGarrett]

What reeeeally scalds my @$$ about the Past Disgust is the quote from Joseph Pulitzer about not being beholden to any interest or political party posted at the top of the editorial page each day. They tilt further left than the NY Slimes, but, "Why no, we're not beholden to liberal interests. That's absurd, you McCarthyite."

They are so quick to point out any inkling of hypocracy on the part of conservatives, but can't seem to find the plank in their own eye.

[PISANO]

It was crap in the 50's.....nothing has changed!

[demsux]

It is the worst...I read the op-ed section instead of the comics, for a good laugh

[BenLurkin]

"The Post-Dispatch platform statement, adopted in 1911, includes the pledge that the newspaper "will always fight for progress and reform, never tolerate injustice or corruption, always fight demagogues of all parties, never belong to any party, always oppose privileged classes and public plunderers, never lack sympathy with the poor, always remain devoted to the public welfare, never be satisfied with merely printing news, always be drastically independent, never be afraid to attack wrong, whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory poverty."

Predatory plutocracy = limousine liberals.

[Dan Evans]

However, the contract also specifies that the new owners shall continue to deny that the paper has a liberal editorial bias.

[kittymyrib]

Unless you have a bird, there is no reason to buy any paper in the US that I can think of.

[anniegetyourgun]

And they even admit it......

[LibWhacker]

bttt

[unbiasedtruth]

Unless you have a bird, there is no reason to buy any paper in the US that I can think of.

Well actually, there is another reason. I'm moving to St. Louis and need newspapers for packing breakable items!

[LibWhacker]

I'm moving to St. Louis...

Ouch! I'm sorry to hear that. It's a real hole.

[ConservativeStLouisGuy]

Former St. Louisan BUMP!