Chicago Tribune and Rod Blagojevich Story
Editors Withhold Reports at Request of U.S. Attorney FitzGerald
Dec 15, 2008
The Chicago Tribune has a history of publishing investigative articles about political corruption in Illinois. It has continued to expose the "Pay to Play" political maneuvers, the most recent being that of Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Chicago Tribune Exposure of Corruption History
Two examples of the Tribune's effort to expose corruption included:
- In 1962 when reporter George Bliss at the Chicago Tribune broke the story about the Metropolitan Sanitary District, it resulted in the firing of corrupt employees and the resignation of political bosses. The investigation rocked Chicago's infamous political machine.
- Election corruption by Mayor Daly's political machine was exposed in the 1970's and resulted in wining a Pulitzer Prize for J. Terrance Brunner, a reporter for the Tribune. Brunner went on to work with national magazines like CBS' 60 Minutes and ABC News 20/20.
Chicago Tribune and U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Request
The editors and reporters at Chicago Tribune had to do a balancing act when asked to grant a rare request by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald of the Department of Justice. It was was to hold off on publishing what they had uncovered until a key phase in the investigation of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was carried out.
This put the Tribune in an uncomfortable spot because except in unusual circumstances, journalists typically try to steer clear of doing anything that can be seen as working with the government agencies they cover. In an interview, Kelly McBride, media ethicist at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla. said:
- "It is very important for news organizations to remain independent from law enforcement. Independence is the key to journalistic integrity. When you enter into agreements or partnerships, you find your independence compromised....If we are too cozy with law enforcement, we will have no credibility when we question law enforcement, in the eyes of the public." (Chicago Tribune 12/10/08)
Although the Tribune had broken several stories on the Blagojevich probe, in this case, it withheld information because of the government's request.
Chicago Tribune Discovers U.S. Attorney's Probe
The contact between the U.S. Attorney's office and the Tribune began when Fitzgerald found that their reporters investigating allegations of misconduct involving Blagojevich had certain aspects of the government's criminal probe. When reporters contacted the U.S. Attorney's office asking for confirmation of what they had uncovered, on some occasions they were asked to delay publication of the stories because disclosure would jeopardize the criminal investigation. Fitzgerald later complimented the Tribune for withholding that story for a substantial period of time which would have compromised the investigation.
Chicago Tribune and Blagojevich Threats
Blagojevich tried to get an editorial writer at the Tribune fired because he was upset about negative portrayals of him including that impeachment was on its way. His chief of staff, John Harris, is reported to have told Nils Larson, financial advisor to the Tribune, that changes on the editorial staff had to be made or the governor would block money for the Wrigley Field renovation.
The state had been in discussions over the sale of Wrigley Field, because of the Tribune's financial problems, which could mean as much as $100 million for the Tribune Co which was already in bankruptcy. It was reported that it had received a subpoena , and that Larsen and chief executive and chairman Sam Zell has been interviewed by the FBI. (Editor&Publisher 12/11/08)
As the criminal investigation into Blagojevich's conduct continues, the Chicago Tribune and its journalists can be proud that the person the Governor sought to have fired is still working at the newspaper today.
Source: United States Department of Justice
 |
