![3D"neil](3D"http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/images/neilbest.jp=)
![3Djames_dolan.jpg=20](3D"http://nymag.com/daily/intel/20061017dolan.jpg")
How will Cablevision's
A very fair question, and one that should be asked, presumably by me. =
So I will.
Promise.
Wish me luck.
(UPDATE: Top Newsday editors have not yet met with Cablevision execs, = so all=20 of this is quite premature. But here is what editor John Mancini said = when I=20 asked about the Knicks/Rangers/MSG concern on the part of many = readers:
=E2=80=9CWe=E2=80=99re pleased that Cablevision in joining with = Newsday cites Newsday=E2=80=99s long=20 tradition of journalistic integrity. These are folks who know the paper = well,=20 know the market and understand the journalism Newsday has long = practiced. So=20 that gives us great hope for a strong relationship going forward, one = that=20 respects our traditions here.
=E2=80=9COur readers demand that we portray situations honestly, and = anyone who knows=20 Newsday knows that. And anyone who knows Newsday and is investing in = Newsday=20 understands the value of that.=E2=80=99=E2=80=99)
Comments (19)
Your fence sitting on the NFL v. Cable matter needs to end or you = might as=20 well change the name of your blog to LapDog.
Who's the goof with the smile. I was in Minnesota when Stephon was a=20 T-woofie, so I know that isn't him.
I am not a fence-sitter on NFL vs. Cable. I have been very consistent = in my=20 position on that subject.
Ah...I can see it now.....future column when this NFL Network garbage = starts=20 up again before the first Thanksgiving game after the suit they filed = against=20 comcast is laughed out of court (didn't they sign a contract with = comcast giving=20 comcast the right to put NFL Network on a sports tier if they didn't get = the=20 Thursday night package and.or access to Sunday Ticket?)....ah yes...Best = writes,=20 "Jim Dolan at Cablevision is absolutely right. Why should Cablevision = carry the=20 second rate Thursday night package if the NFL has screwed them out of = Sunday=20 Ticket. There is little chance NFL Network will ever be on Cablevision = until=20 Cablevision is allowed to offer Sunday Ticket."
We'll see.....
I don't know what to make of this. I love this Newspaper and = unfortunately=20 between Rupert Murdoch and the Dolan family it has gotten saddled with = the=20 greater of two evils. If they turn a great paper into a propaganda arm = of=20 Cablevision, I don't know what I will do. There is barely a readable = daily=20 newspaper in this area, besides Newsday, unless I want to spend 4 hours = reading=20 some story about a one legged marathon runner in Times with a thesaurus. = Neil, I=20 don't know if you have heard anything but what changes are to be=20 expected.
RWH: Looking into it!
There are a lot of concerns in my mind. First, I hope it doesn't = create a=20 similar situation to Murdoch buying the WSJ. Second, as you mentioned, = will your=20 writers still be able to assess the Rangers, Knicks and Liberty = honestly? Will=20 you be able to write a critical piece on MSG's coverage? Will you have = to write=20 pieces about obscure programs on MSG to promote them? And, considering = the=20 ridiculous lengths that MSG went to this past season to bully the = Knicks' beat=20 writers, will they promote Newsday reporters to a more favored status? =
I don't envy your position Neil and I wish you luck not only with = asking the=20 questions, but handling the transition.
I wish you good luck Neil.
So Satan is now your boss?
I feel really bad for you, and all the ladies who work at Newsday who = will=20 now be sexually harrassed by whatever newcomers the Dolan family bring = in to run=20 the place. I expect the journalistic integrity to go way down as well as = the=20 quality of writing as Dolans will be cutting costs for sure and getting = rid of=20 high-priced talent and bringing in lower costing hacks from places like=20 Poughkeepsie, Trenton and Syracuse.
Nice knowing you Best.