New Union Tribune owners stumbling out of the gate

Voice of San Diego
In a tough profile, Rob Davis reports that the new owners of the San Diego Union Tribune have made numerous blunders in their first two months. Hotel magnate Doug Manchester has promised a boosterish news and editorial approach. His partner, former radio executive John Lynch said on the day of the sale that the UT’s sports reporters should call out “obstructionists” opposing a new downtown stadium for the Chargers. Analyst Ken Doctor comments that the pair seem to be learning on-the-job the distinctions between editorial opinion and reliable news reporting. The Union Tribune had been sold to Platinum Equity in 2009, which in turn flipped it to Manchester and Lynch in December. The newspaper’s prime property is thought to be a significant driver of the $110 million transaction.