Minnesota Congressmen expressed concern about the sale March 28, 2006:

Kennedy and Oberstar Request Review of Knight Ridder Sale to McClatchy

Washington, D.C. - Congressmen Mark Kennedy and Jim Oberstar sent a letter today to Thomas Barnett, Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust at the Department of Justice, requesting a review of Knight Ridder's sale to the McClatchy Company. The following is the text from that letter:

Dear Mr. Barnett,

We write today to request that you undertake a full review with all necessary speed and deliberation of the antitrust implications of the recently announced acquisition of Knight Ridder by the McClatchy Company.  We are deeply concerned about the impact the proposed sale could have on our constituents.

This sale, should it go forward, would place in one company's hands the ownership of the two largest newspapers in our state - McClatchy's Minneapolis-based Star Tribune and Knight Ridder's St. Paul-based Pioneer Press.  One company would thus own and control newspapers with a combined circulation of almost one million - that's one in five residents of our state.  We are concerned about the potential grave consequences such a dramatic consolidation could have on the people of Minnesota.

A monopoly in the newspaper industry is certainly no less dangerous, and is perhaps more so, than in any other American industry.  Though various new media outlets present important alternatives, the newspaper remains a primary source of information for many Minnesotans as well as a key advertising outlet for many Minnesota small businesses and corporations.

Thus, we believe a careful and speedy review of the proposed newspaper monopoly is warranted.

Sincerely,

Congressman Mark Kennedy (MN-06)

Congressman Jim Oberstar (MN- 08)

Whereas, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, which has a distinguished 157-year history of serving the city and east metro communities:

• Delivers fair and comprehensive coverage reported by experienced, professional journalists;
• Covers community news daily;
• Provides a reliable vehicle to advertise goods and services;
• Helps citizens become better informed;
• Stimulates community involvement in issues important to school districts and City, County, and State governments;
• Protects Americans’ First Amendment right and access to a marketplace of ideas;

BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul goes on record as requesting the McClatchy Co. enable sale of the newspaper to a buyer that will continue these traditions.

Whereas the St. Paul Pioneer Press, which has a distinguished 157-year history of serving the city and east metro communities:

• Delivers fair and comprehensive coverage reported by experienced, professional journalists;
• Covers community news daily;
• Provides a reliable vehicle to advertise goods and services; Helps citizens become better informed;
• Stimulates community involvement in issues important to school districts and city, county and state governments;
• Protects Americans’ First Amendment right and access to a marketplace of ideas;

I would like to go on record as requesting the McClatchy Co. enable sale of the newspaper to a buyer that will continue these traditions, Yucaipa Cos. of Los Angeles, a private-equity firm with a strong history of investing in businesses that support their workers.

As a former Stillwater City Councilman and current Washington County Commissioner, I appreciate the fair, balanced and accurate reporting from your reporters. 

Sincerely,

Gary Kriesel
Washington County Commissioner

Minnesota Sen. Becky Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, said:

“Minnesotans take their tradition of high-quality news standards seriously, and we will stand proudly with the award-winning Pioneer Press staff in the effort to preserve those standards. As a strong believer in worker ownership of businesses, I think it would be wonderful if newspaper employees could gain a stake in their company.”