Even the Dems agree – the Argus has blown their hildygate coverage.
I would have gotten to this sooner, but I was in class today.
In his editorial this morning, Argus Leader executive editor tried to make us believe that they actually used some journalistic standards as justification as they’ve purposely ignored Hildygate.
Too bad for us that it’s all BS.
Too bad for them we all know it.
n fact, the stench of the BS was so strong, even my Democratic friend Todd Epp (a former member of the MSM himself) chimed in to call out Randall Beck on the topic:
I think Beck’s application of “old media” standards as he describes above is a cover. Unfortunately, I have to agree with Sibby, who also writes today that the Argus doesn’t always follow the “criminal charges must be filed” rule before naming names.
As Steve points out, last year, Republican operatives knee-capped then PUC commissioner Bob Sahr, a Republican, in the Argus Leader on yet identified charges of wrong doing. There was far less information to go on that what we have with Schuldt. There were no sources on the record. That is not the case here.
And does it bring about a suspicion of bias on the part of the Argus? Yes. That the Argus cannot see it is troubling.
Read that here. In fact, I know of at least one or two more instances I can point out where they named names before any charges were filed, or hearings ordered. An example?
How about this gem from the Argus Leader:
The father of a former page has accused Sen. Dan Sutton, D-Flandreau, of misconduct during the last legislative session, according to state Sen. Garry Moore.
Read that here. No charges filed, no law enforcement confirmation and no hearing at that point. But the Argus went with it.
But not this time.
We can all smell what Randall Beck is cooking. And apparently it’s a lot of bull.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
The Dan Sutton and the Bob Sahr examples are good ones. They were both political stories and so is this story–the Democrat’s top strategist in the state fires his top deputy. Beck is trying to explain away a huge f— up by his crappy newspaper.
What Beck is saying is that all these other papers lack integrity and are bottom-feeders unlike the high and might Argus Leader: Watertown Public Opinion, Pierre Capitol Journal, Rapid City Journal, Mitchell Daily Republic, Yankton Dakotan, KELO-Land, Sioux City Journal, Fargo Forum, Roll Call…. Beck and the Argus Leader are the ones without any journalistic integrity.
Moral authority from the man who trashed and smeared Dan Scott without any basis except that he happened to make a joke about how the Argus Leader stinks. Lots of integrity there Randell!
So will this guy get prosecuted or are Hildy, the Dems, and the Argus Leader just going to sweep it under the rug??
So, Epp, PP, and Sibby believe two wrongs make a right? About what I’d expect from those three stooges.
Rendall is a truly awful editor. But, their application of this policy makes sense. It would have made sense in the Sahr case too.
Gannett Corporation Vice-President: “I keep getting all these complaints about the Argus. How much is that bonehead editor in Sioux Falls costing us with his antics?”
Bean Counter: “The costs are appalling. Our readership should be booming in Sioux Falls but we’re flatlining.”
VP: “Let’s hire this Epp guy. He seems like a sharp dude.”
The argus is a worthless newspaper and everyone knows it. Sioux Falls needs a weekly paper like Rapid City has.
Why didn’t King Randell answer the question about Chad Schuldt working at the Argus Leader? Did he? Is that part of the cover-up?
I thought those Argus CLOWNS didn’t read blogs? Interesting.
What the Argus lacks in scruples and integrity they make for with such ‘floating’ polcies suited to fit whatever mood Garson, Beck & the rest of the stooges are feeling that day.
PP, if you started making “Cancel your Argus” bumper stickers, I’d take load of ‘em right off the bat.
5. Hildy will try to avoid filing a complaint in this case because it would make his firm look ridiculous and also Obama and Daschle. SO don’t expect this crime to be punished.
With all of the whining and crybabying you’re all doing about the Argus, nobody has the balls to start a competing newspaper. Put your money where you’re crying mouths are, or just shut up! It’s really getting old.
Hey 14., it is Hildy who can’t seem to shut up about this deal. Your theory is contrary to the facts. And remember, if a crime was committed, it was committed against Hildy, not by Hildy. Which is why calling this “Hildygate” is so stupid.
hey Hildy Boy, I mean 17., are you on Hildy’s payroll too? Theron? Nathan? is that you?
Randell Beck needs to go—when can we vote him out? oh right, he’s not accountable to anyone in South Dakota. but if people raise enough of a fuss with Gannett Corporation in New York maybe they’ll replace him. William has posted the email above.
I got another call from the people at the Argus offering us a “deal” if we would renew the paper last week. I told them no for three reasons – their obvious Democrat bias, the awful new format, and the fact that they won’t give us in the country a deal for six days without making us buy the Sunday paper too. Needless to say, she didn’t stay on the phone long! This is the third such call since we stopped the paper; I’m waiting with baited breath for their fourth try!
The Argus Leader is desperate to put butts in the seats, i.e. get subscribers because the national office is putting the heat on. At the same time that they are trying to sell papers, however, their IDIOT editors make people want to cancel their subscriptions. Pretty soon, the only subscribers to the Argus will be Steve Hildebrand, Chad Schuldt, and Tom Daschle.
Kranz also says NOTHING today about a major political scandal which he’s supposed to be such a big writer about, but NOTHING because Hildy is his buddy
Take it from someone who knows…contacting Gannett is a waste of time. Beck is probably a hero in their eyes — they will probably give the guy some sort of in-house award. One other point, though, as much as I hate to say it…You need to find another example of the Argus inconsistency without invoking the Bob Sahr thing. He was a public figure who held a taxpayer-supported job, and that’s different, in my view.
#23 from Beck’s own mouth:
we didn’t name him because no charges of any kind have been filed. That’s been our standard for a long time, and it still is.
I don’t see him differentiating between who pays his salary in that statement do you? And last time I checked Sahr has still yet to be charged with anything.
I love how Beck said only about 12 people really cared that the Argus didn’t report who embezzeled the money. Isn’t that more people than he has subscribing to his crummy newspaper?
#23
Individual contacts probably don’t make much of an impact, in my case an acknowledgement they’d received it, read it & forwarded it to the Argus for response. I got the same response in Beck’s column, just a few days before anyone else.
That said, Gannett’s in business to make money. I know of no one personally (of any political pursuasion) that thinks we have a quality local newspaper. The more people directly contact Gannett about the Argus as subscriptions plummet, the bottom line is what will determine the direction of the paper.
Put in in for a gross of “Cancel Your Argus” bumper stickers. My T size is Large, if you want to expand the franchise – lol
The arrogance, bias, and stupidity of Randell Beck knows no bounds. Everyone should call Gannett Corporation and tell them how Beck is destroying one of their assets.