If you don't travel the local blogs and have not heard...

The release of an ongoing email exchange between Newfoundland and Labrador premier Danny Williams PR person, Elizabeth Matthews, and journalist Craig Westcott are all the buzz in St. John's media circles this week. (I'm not sure anyone else noticed, though) Westcott has been blackballed by the premiers offices for interviews for the past couple of years and now is being shut out of government advertising for his fledgling Business Post newspaper due to his "negative attitude" toward the premier and his government policies.
When all the spin and personalities are removed it seems to come down to the cruel realities of being an experienced self -employed journalist (or a business owner in general) in a small town who must not only report news and events but is also called on to do SIGNED commentary and editorials ...something the local daily does not. Any business owner who is outspoken is taking a risk but what do you do when your business IS speaking out?
Blackballing journalists and publications is not new in Newfoundland. Former premier Peckford withheld advertising to the now defunct Sunday Express for their reporting. The press and media in Newfoundland has always been divided into those who kiss the seat of power and those who don't. The reality of the small ad market is that government advertising is a major percent of ad revenue for any media. Reporters and media owners judge themselves accordingly.

For the whole sordid tale check out Email Trail and Danny's Thin Skin at Geoff Meekers media blog at the Telegram website.

Is it possible to separate reporting and commentary work in a small incestuous market for a journalist? Can a reporter write editorials? They should be able to but probably not in a small village...but you got to make a living.