by Lexi Kriss, WPRO
Executive Editor of The Providence Journal Alan Rosenberg joined the Dan Yorke Show Wednesday afternoon to respond to the negative comments Governor Gina Raimondo made regarding the local media at a public event at Brown University Tuesday night.
Governor Raimondo made multiple attacks on the local media. In reference to The Providence Journal she offered, “Our local paper, The Providence Journal, was something that many or most Rhode Islanders read, certainly all influencers read…“it’s a shadow of its former self… so you can’t rely on that.” Rosenberg clarified on the Dan Yorke Show that while paper circulation is down per national trend, “more people are reading us than ever before” through digital platforms.
Rosenberg also expressed general frustration with the Governor’s communications staff in that they are, “certainly quick to call and make sure we’re coming to certain events, to send out a release with news they want to trumpet; they’re far less quick to respond to requests for information that might not be something they’re interesting in putting out.”
When asked why Rosenberg believes Governor Raimondo targeted The Providence Journal, he shared that he believes she might be upset over the lack of a “splash” the journal chose to make over her 1,000 days coverage, “it wasn’t what she wanted and it wasn’t what she hoped for.” Rosenberg explained that the paper had a responsibility to underscore the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Governor Raimondo did not only antagonize leading television and print outlets, she took specific aim at talk radio. The Governor compared the combativeness of a weekly segment on WJAR to the medium, “News, broadcast news, has become almost like talk radio.”
The Governor issued a statement of apology on Wednesday afternoon. The statement reads, “Answering a question about political coverage at a student forum yesterday, I regret my characterization of Rhode Island’s media outlets and apologize to reporters, editors and publishers who I offended. I deeply value the importance of the media’s mission and the professionalism and dedication of Rhode Island’s press corps.” Governor Raimondo did not include the talk radio outlets in her apology. An inquiry has been made with her office regarding this exclusion.
