On the surface of things, there would seem to be little connection among the following: two small daily newspapers in central Connecticut, the wealthy owner of a multinational casino and resort chain, the Chinese crime gangs known as triads, and the sale of the largest newspaper in Nevada to an undisclosed owner. But they do all fit together somehow.
This hour, we try to explain how a long analysis of American business courts, written under a false byline, popped up in The New Britain Herald and Bristol Press and what that has to do with Sheldon Adelson, one of the richest men in America and the apparent owner, by proxy, of The Las Vegas Review-Journal. We also consider whether this weird story is a one-off or part of the dark future of American journalism.
GUESTS:
- Steve Collins - Recently resigned from The Bristol Press, where he covered government and politics; he continues to serve as president of Youth Journalism International
- Jay Rosen - Teaches journalism at NYU and writes the blog PressThink
- Michael Green - Associate professor of history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- James Wright - Deputy editor of local news and business news for The Las Vegas Review-Journal
MUSIC:
- “Newspapermen” by Pete Seeger
- “Newspaper Man” by Mr. Jimmy
- “Get Your Paper” by Eddie Fisher
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Lydia Brown and Chion Wolf contributed to this show.
