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I had the Daily News sent to me in California when I first moved there. What will we read when we are going to the bathroom? It will kill a part of Philly if that paper closes, it's like taking the Liberty Bell away. It's like spanking Betsy Ross. What would we read...the USA Today? All you (will) have is the Philly weather.
Dom Irrera
Dear Mr. Pruitt,
I am writing to express my deep concern over the sale of the newspapers to the Toll Brothers and Brian Tierney. Why do we have investors trying to buy up our newspapers? I don't purchase my newspaper because it is the cheapest one or because it has the most advertisements, I purchase it because it is one of the best sources for local news. If business interests do not mutually respect this concept of what our city's newspapers are supposed to be then they are at odds with Philadelphia readers and the working people at the Inquirer and Daily News. Investors might rake it in, by our city's readers will suffer. Furthermore, with threats to close the Daily News the economic impact to our city could be considerable. I see only one potential buy that has a perspective that considers not only the "bottom line" but also the needs of the reading public and Philadelphia workers. I hope that you will consider the needs of Philadelphians first and find that Yucaipa has the strongest bid which will serve investors, workers and Philadelphia readers.
Sincerely,
Fabricio Rodriguez, Director Philadelphia Area Jobs with Justice
For the folks at the Daily News:
Let me recount my early days as a kid growing up in South Philly, even before becoming "the Geator."
Every day in my neighborhood people would wait for the Daily News to go on sale at newsstands. At every candy store, luncheonette and on every corner you'd see people reading the Daily News, which in those days was the local paper that spoke to Philadelphians not only about what was happening around the world but in our city, reaching people who wouldn't think of picking up a newspaper.
It was a must to have the Daily News and as a kid on Bandstand I used to read the entertainment section telling me what stars were in town or coming to town and knew that if they were recording artists that they would appear on Bandstand -- Bob Horn's Bandstand, before Dick Clark. I loved Jerry Gaghan's column, never thinking that one day he would be talking about my exploits when I began on radio and television.
The paper then and now represented the pulse, the rhythm of the neighborhoods, both in entertainment and news, local and national. The reporters then and now were local heroes who knew the city and the people, and that's why it was called "the people's paper." it would be a terrible injustice to the city of Philadelphia and its people if the Daily News did not exist. It would be like taking the Italian Market or Geno's Steaks out of the Philadelphia.
Yours truly,
The Geator, Jerry Blavat
Philly's going to lose a newspaper? Just as long as it's the one that Stan Hochman works for. Seriously, I still live in Philadelphia. I go there every summer. And I read both the Inquirer and Daily News every day. I hope that I continue to have the opportunity to enjoy the coverage of both newspapers.
Charles Barkley
As a long-time human rights advocate, I strongly support the union and workers' negotiations to assume ownership of the former Knight Ridder Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. The employees' ownership of the twin papers would certainly give folks a sense of hope that our press would be committed first and foremost to the public interest, not exorbitant profits, and that highly qualified journalists could return the Inquirer, particularly, to its status as a Pulitzer Prize winning paper worth its salt - not the remnant it has become under the endless belt tightening and union busting characteristic of "big business" guns.
In solidarity,
Rita Addessa (Director emeritus, PLGTF)
Today I live near Atlanta but I still go back to Philadelphia. And as soon as I step off of the plane and into the airport, the first thing that I do is pick-up a Daily News and an Inquirer. For me, it's a right of passage. The Daily News and Inquirer go together like peanut butter and jelly. I got used to reading two newspapers in Philadelphia -- and I still do it today, only it's the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Gwinett Daily Post.
Andrew Toney
I would be shocked and disappointed if Philly were to lose one of its two remaining major daily papers. I live in New York now but I was raised in Philly, went to school there and get back there often to see Penn football games and visit with family. As a kid growing up in Philly I devoured the daily papers. There were three back then (let's not forget The Bulletin) and I read them all. Great writers: Stan Hochman, Red Smith, Frank Dolson, Larry Merchant to name a few. These papers are cultural institutions and the people of Philadelphia deserve to have them there every day.
John Doman
HBO's "The Wire."
Dear Mr. Pruitt:
You don't want to deal with Philadelphia -- despite the millions to be made here -- OK.
We promise to not be too offended.
However, if you care about decent journalism at all, please drop kick the Onex overture into the trash can because it's clear from their public statements they care solely about maximizing profits and nothing about decent journalism.
As someone invested in this business, and this trust, I believe you actually have a moral and ethical responsibility to see that the papers you wish to shed will remain strong voices in their communities.
Onex will destroy them.
Please reject Onex.
Sincerely,
Stu Bykofsky
Columnist
Philadelphia Daily News
Mr. Pruitt:
I have worked for Canadian carpetbagger such as Onex once before when I had the unpleasant experience of being employed under Pierre Peladeau. He was the anti-Christ of newspapers. Which is exactly how I see the people from Onex Corp.
I worked with John Knight back in 1975 when the Inquirer hired me right out of college. I love the man and what he stood for. It was disappointing to me that McClatchy didn't want the Inquirer as part of its newspaper group because I have always felt McClatchy and Knight shared similar visions.
Nothing would dishonor John Knight and the McClatchy empire, as well, than if the Inquirer fell into the hands of these Canadian carpetbaggers.
Which is why I join my colleagues and urge you to reject their bid to wreck havoc in Philadelphia.
Tim Panaccio, Philadelphia Inquirer
Dear Mr. Pruitt:
I am disappointed that McClatchy has decided to sell The Philadelphia Inquirer and its sister paper, the Philadelphia Daily News. Accepting this decision, I urge you to be mindful of your responsibility to the Philadelphia region and to the loyal employees of these newspapers.
Please do not sell to anyone who is likely to strip these papers for short-term profit rather than to serve the community as The Inquirer and Daily News have done for many years.
You have a moral duty to choose a new owner of The Inquirer and Daily News who would embrace a commitment of stewardship.
We are counting on you.
Gene Foreman, Managing Editor (1973-98), The Philadelphia Inquirer
Dear Gary:
I devoted 31 years of my life to The Philadelphia Inquirer and am in deep despair over the thought that a newspaper I loved so much could fall into the hands of a group of investors that could destroy its value and integrity.
When I heard that McClatchy decided to sell off The Inquirer and Daily News, I had to wonder if excellence in the news industry has any value any longer in this market-driven economy.
I have long admired McClatchy for its commitment to the news and have included two McClatchy reporters -- Allie Shah of Minneapolis and Steve Magagnini of Sacramento -- in a book of stories on the coverage of race in America.
Allie, in fact, got her start at The Inquirer in an intern program I supervised.
The decision your company is about to make is vital, not only for journalism but for the community that will always be my home.
Given the choices at hand, I strongly urge your company to support the
bid from the Newspaper Guild.
As a union member and then a member of management, I worked with the Guild to build a collaborative relationship in the newsroom -- a relationship that was rare in the industry. Bob Hall, former publisher, and Jim Naughton, former executive editor and former president of The Poynter Institute, have signed on to help this effort. I worked closely with both and know that neither man gives their support lightly.
I firmly believe that selling to any other investment group would be a blemish on McClatchy's reputation and a betrayal to the hundreds of journalists who worked so hard through the years to make Philadelphia Newspapers a standard bear for excellence.
Arlene Notoro Morgan,
Former assistant managing editor,
The Philadelphia Inquirer, 1969-2000
Associate Dean, Columbia Graduate School of Journalism
It would be a tragedy if the two fine Philadelphia papers were sold to some outfit that wants only to rip the guts out of their newsroom staffs in search of a quick profit. From what I know of the situation this is the strategy of the Onex group.
This must not happen. I hope the decision makers in this matter will look favorably on the Yucaipa group's bid. This is an organization which seems to believe in newspapers rather than simply using them to line their own pockets.
Robert Finn
(Akron Beacon Journal 1959-1964
Cleveland Plain Dealer 1964-1992)
As an alum of Knight Ridder Newspapers, I have watched with horror the dismemberment of the nation's finest newspaper chain. I am writing to add my voice to those calling for a decision that will take into account the urgent importance of keeping quality journalism in the forefront. Please do not sell the Daily News and the Inquirer to Onex. I have been impressed with the efforts of the Yucaipa group to present a plan that would be economically and journalistically viable, and I hope that those in a position to choose will seriously consider that option or another one that preserves the integrity of these two fine newspapers. More than ever, we need strong voices like those of the Inquirer and the Daily News to help us sort through the bewildering array of issues that confront us. This is your legacy.
Sincerely,
Tracy Barnett
Travel Editor
San Antonio Express-News
Mr. Pruitt:
According to a news report in the May 12 editions of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Onex Corp. of Toronto has proposed to cut in half the number of people who work in the newsrooms of these newspapers. This would come after several waves of downsizing already have cut into the bone of our ability to serve our communities. All Onex cares about is looting and pillaging the papers to extract a quick profit. Having done that, we believe they would sell the shell that remains and make a quick exit, leaving the citizens of this region to suffer the consequences of their actions for decades to come.
I add my voice to the many undersigned journalists who beg you to reject the sale of these newspapers to any party that seeks to pit workers against each other, as Onex reportedly would do, and destroy the ability of our newspapers to provide essential services to one of the most important and historic regions of the United States.
Jeanne Finlater
Peripatetic Publishers Inc.
As a former national and metropolitan editor of the Inquirer and a one-time news editor of the Knight Ridder Washington Bureau, I want to add my voice to those urging McClatchy Corp. to sell the Inquirer and Daily News to Yucaipa.
These newspapers, in journalistic competition with one another, have over the years examined and reflected the rich and diverse environment in which they operate. They have been fiercely independent, ethically responsible and journalistically courageous. Of all the potential suitors, only Yucaipa seems prepared to willingly continue that tradition.
Stephen Seplow
I’m a KR alum (San Jose Mercury News) and am writing to support you in your efforts to retain quality journalism – and newspaper competition – in Philly.
Marilyn Lewis,
Port Townsend, Wash.
I oppose the sale of the Philadelphia Inquirer to Onex Corp. What type of company wants to come in and slash jobs with no regard for employees and their families? To offer an agreement with circulation. Pitting union’s against each other. I am voicing my opinion. I do not support the sale of these papers to the Onex Group.
Kelly Botos
Akron Ohio
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing to protest any effort to reduce the quality or quantity of journalistic voices in Philadelphia. Any sale to a company which contemplates a reduction in the number of journalists available to cover matters of public interest diminishes the quality of political debate. I would hope that McClatchy would avoid selling off its newspapers--and selling out its readers--to a company that has promised to cut the news force.
Sincerely,
T. Christian Miller
Washington Bureau
Los Angeles TimesHow could we ever get adequate coverage of our Philly sports teams without the Daily News and its fabulous staff? The reporters and columnists are all so uniformly excellent that it's impossible to name names without short-shrifting someone. And "Daily News Live" on Comcast just adds to it.
The Daily News's take on Philly really puts the focus on the city and on people who are overlooked by newspapers with wider suburban ambitions. Nothing could replace the Daily News, it gets my 60 cents every day, and I hope it always will!
I'll add that this country needs more "worker friendly" investors like Yucaipa who value American jobs, American unions, and American products.
Good luck, DN!
Anne Johnson
Readers:
News and Newspapers are the building blocks of democracy. Without access to news and differing points of views, people are left without a way to evaluate the multi-million dollar advertising blitzes that are the basis of today’s elections.
Everyone who cares about democracy, who cares about a free society, who believes in the goals of constant improvement must support keeping Philadelphia a two-newspaper town.
In fact, there are few issues that are as important as ensuring free, fully funded, independent newspapers.
Lance Haver
Director Consumer Affairs,
City of Philadelphia
As someone who has friends at both The Philadelphia Daily News and the
Philadelphia Inquirer and a man who likes to read real news not McNews
or their electronic counterparts it is imperative that this city that
we love have more then one good source of journalism.
In the early days of my publication members of PNI stepped forward to
show me the publishing ropes. Now, 30 years later I offer to repay the
favor. You have my support and if need be you have me.
With Hope,
Mark Segal
Publisher,. Philadelphia Gay News
I strongly support any company whose goal is to keep both the
Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News intact. They are both important to
the region in fostering the highest professional standards in journalism,
and promoting public understanding on matters of importance to the public.
The region cannot afford to lose these great institutions which are part
of the very fabric of the city where America was born. We stand with you at
this most difficult and troubling time and hope and pray you persevere
in your valiant effort to keep both newspapers intact.
Sincerely,
Dann Cuellar
Greetings!
Best of luck. I have both the Inky and Daily News delivered to home each morning. My life would be greatly diminished without them.
Ann Cohen
AFSCME Local 1637
Author: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet
Quotation: Critics are sentinels in the grand army of letters, stationed at the corners of newspapers and reviews, to challenge every new author.
Attribution: Longfellow, Kavanaugh, bk. 1 ch. 13 (1849)
Author: Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President
Quotation: The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were if left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.
Attribution: Letter January 1787 to Edward Carrington.
Author: Jimmy Breslin, newspaper columnist
Quotation: Rage is the only quality which has kept me, or anybody I have ever studied, writing columns for newspapers.
Attribution: Jimmy Breslin, Time (London, May 9, 1990)
AUTHOR: Arthur Miller
QUOTATION: A good newspaper, I suppose, is a nation talking to itself.
ATTRIBUTION: LondonObserver 26 Nov 6
AUTHOR: Edward R Murrow
QUOTATION: Most of us probably feel we couldn’t be free without newspapers, and that is the real reason we want the newspapers to be free.
ATTRIBUTION: NYHerald Tribune 12 Mar 58
AUTHOR: Richard M Nixon, 37th US President
QUOTATION: I’ve never canceled a subscription to a newspaper because of bad cartoons or editorials. If that were the case, I wouldn’t have any newspapers or magazines to read.
ATTRIBUTION: NBC TV 8 Apr 84
AUTHOR: Anthony Sampson
QUOTATION: In America, journalism is apt to be regarded as an extension of history: in Britain, as an extension of conversation.
ATTRIBUTION: The Anatomy of Britain Harper & Row 62
AUTHOR: Bill Moyers
QUOTATION: The printed page conveys information and commitment, and requires active involvement. Television conveys emotion and experience, and it’s very limited in what it can do logically. It’s an existential experience—there and then gone.
ATTRIBUTION: NY Times 3 Jan 82
AUTHOR: Edward R Murrow, CBS News
QUOTATION: We cannot make good news out of bad practice.
ATTRIBUTION: Reply as director of US Information Agency to Senate critics who wanted him to ignore racial strife in order to project a better image abroad, recalled on his death, Life 7 May 65
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