New York Times article focuses on Adelson’s newspaper
News on 23 May 2016
News on 23 May 2016
Las Vegas land casino magnate Sheldon Adelson’s controversial and allegedly stealth acquisition of the Nevada newspaper Las Vegas Review Journal for $140 million last year (see previous reports) continues to attract media attention, with the New York Times publishing a lengthy article over the weekend here:
Titled “In Adelson’s Newsroom, Looser Purse Strings and a Tighter Leash”, the article examines the perspectives of the three main players in the drama – Adelson as the owner; Messrs Cook and Moon as managing editor and publisher reporting to the owner; and journalist employees concerned about professional ethics and what they perceive to be too much editorial interference.
The LRVJ employs around 100 journalists in its newsroom, according to the article, so a 12 percent attrition rate among journos may not seem to be that significant (in fact the management at one point in the piece comments that they are being replaced) but their concerns have resonated with others in their profession, creating publicity that is not always positive.
Past and present journalists talk about unhealthy tensions building between Journal newsroom staffers and the newspaper’s management, giving several examples of why they are concerned, whilst the management defends its right to edit and ‘improve’ material.
Both Adelson and the top management at the Journal have acknowledged that articles prepared by the newsroom are being scrutinised and edited, but they deny that there is any attempt to censor or shape stories to protect Adelson’s wide range of interests.
In a response to questions from the New York Times, Adelson has denied interference in the editorial decisions at his newspaper, and outlined a range of additions and improvements that he would like to see implemented at the Journal.
