It's not a total lovefest about the purchase of Newsday by Cablevision. Concerns are being raised about what the diminished competition could mean to journalism on Long Island.
Count Henry E. Powderly II and David Reich-Hale of Long Island Business News as leading members of that chorus.
In their blogs, Powderly and Reich-Hale worry about the impact of the combined companies. Powderly refers to an article in today's Newsday and says: "Reading on, one can’t help but hear the Dolans’ voice in the article, which is pocked with advertising fluff phrases like “premiere institution,” “stunning waterfront home” and “powerhouse family.”
He adds, "Is this what we can expect, Cablevision advertorials masquerading as news?"
Powderly also says that the Newsday coverage had too many voices praising the deal rather than raising questions.
Reich-Hale says, "We’ve received e-mails and op-ed submissions from folks worried that Cablevision will force Newsday to stop covering them fairly" and he cites allegations that News 12 laid off serious coverage of the Isiah Thomas sexual harassment case.
--Noel Rubinton