Scandal at the Swift-owned Greeley Tribune - and the larger picture

May 18 update: I know nothing, I never know anything, but I'm going to go out on a speculative limb and say that I don't think the timing of this shocking, shocking discovery was coincidental. And it could be that other aspects of this story shouldn't be taken at face value either. But as I said, I do know nothing.

Broken by the Coloradoan:
Former Greeley Tribune editor Chris Cobler is in hot water (but how common is this practice? particularly at Swift newspapers?) for having run other newspapers' stories in the Greeley Trib without permission, for years. A couple of the more inflammatory quotes - "'one-step-removed'" from plagiarism... tromping all over ethical standards that are accepted..."

Strangely, the Greeley Trib account doesn't mention that their paper is owned by Swift Newspapers (aka Swift Communications Inc - "Great people connecting communities"), where

Our media companies are run with local autonomy and management teams who are leaders in their communities.

and where

With a commitment to integrity, we bring light to truth, excellence to endeavor and strength to community. We are the preeminent provider of relevant, timely and trusted information. We are the leaders for the communities and customers we serve.

Maybe it'd be better to follow Poynter's ethics advice and phrase these statements as aspirations, not accomplishments. And, as we've noted before in this space, "local autonomy" is a nice way to say "lack of accountability".


If sunlight is the best of disinfectants, how healthy will an institution be that typically:
* wields great influence
* is not covered by the press
* is a monopoly, so hasn't benefited from competition
and whose people have been taught both their craft and its opposite?

Confidential to those who've been using the term: This is accountability.