Ouch.
Rich Miller picked up on the fact that the Journal Star didn’t even use its own reporters to cover Jim McConoughey’s press conference yesterday. This is his lede paragraph:
The Peoria Journal-Star’s fawning coverage of state Rep. Aaron Schock has long been a running joke in Springfield. I don’t blame Schock in the least. If he’s able to get that sort of “homer†coverage, then more power to him. It’s entirely the paper’s fault.
Ouch, ouch, ouch.
For those who don’t know, Miller’s column and his Website are considered absolutely essential reads by anyone in politics and the media in Illinois. And today, they are reading what is essentially the Internet version of a slap upside the head.
Ouch, ouch, ouch.
I keep hearing rumblings that there are going to be a few “retirements” among the bosses the Journal Star. I could not happen sooner. This paper used to be respected for its independence. Now, it’s got a rep for using its reporting to push personal agendas, and for not hesitating to skew the facts — or just outright ignore them — on it’s editorial page.
Go read it. It’s good.
Tags: GateHouse, Journal Star, Rich Miller
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
