The Bay Guardian ran an ad for Coors Light earlier this month and faced the wrath of local progressives, who have boycotted the company since 1974 due to its anti-union and anti-gay policies. "I wish they would not carry (the ad)," a representative of a local labor group tells the Bay Area Reporter. "I think they are mistaken to do so." Executive editor Tim Redmond tells the Reporter that the Bay Guardian will run any ad that's "not libelous, obscene, or consumer fraud" -- with the exception of cigarette advertising, which it no longer accepts**. "If every ad met my political correctness test, there would be no ads in the paper and I would be out of a job," Redmond says. **UPDATE: Redmond says the Bay Area Reporter got one detail wrong; the Guardian still takes cigarette ads. And he says we missed his most important quote: "I drink only Bud Light."

Continue ReadingRedmond Defends SFBG Advertising Policy

David C. Iglesias is the former federal prosecutor for the District of New Mexico whose revelation about receiving an improper phone call from Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) was the spark that ignited the scandal presently engulfing U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez and the Bush Administration. Iglesias will join us for lunch in Portland on Saturday, June 16, for our annual celebration of a free press, where he will be interviewed by Santa Fe Reporter editor Julia Goldberg. You've probably heard about Iglesias' role in the DOJ scandal, but did you know that the former United States Navy Reserve Captain was the basis for the character played by Tom Cruise in the movie A Few Good Men?

Continue ReadingFormer U.S. Attorney to Speak at First Amendment Lunch

East Bay Express editor and new co-owner Stephen Buel wrote to AAN late Friday afternoon to let us know that the Berkeley Daily Planet's characterization of the paper's new ownership structure was wrong. He also complained that the Daily Planet's "selective quotation of (his) comments," may have led people to mistaken conclusions regarding the paper's former owners at Village Voice Media. "Under their guidance, the Express enlarged its editorial staff, professionalized its reporting, sharpened its news coverage, and tightened its writing," Buel says. "In fact, they are the best employers I've ever had."

Continue ReadingBuel: Errors in Coverage of East Bay Express Sale