The Spokesman-Review

Infobox Newspaper
name = The Spokesman-Review


caption = The July 27, 2005 front page of
"The Spokesman-Review"
type = Daily newspaper
format = Broadsheet
foundation = 1894
ceased publication =
price =
owners = Cowles Publishing Company
publisher = William Stacey Cowles
editor = Steven A. Smith
language = English
circulation = Daily, 95,273, Sunday, 121,000
headquarters = 999 West Riverside Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
United States
ISSN =
website = [http://spokesmanreview.com/ spokesmanreview.com]

"The Spokesman-Review" is a daily newspaper based in Spokane, Washington, and is the city's only daily publication. The broadsheet has the third highest readership figures among daily newspapers in Washington, and is published every morning and Sundays. Most of its readership base is in Eastern Washington and north Idaho. The newspaper formerly published three editions, a metro edition covering Spokane and the outlying areas, a Spokane Valley edition and an Idaho edition covering northern Idaho. After a large downsizing of the newsroom staff in November 2007 the paper moved to a single zoned edition emphasizing localized "Voices" sections staffed primarily by non-union employees.

Despite its hometown feel, "The Spokesman-Review" has been known to take a moderate-to-liberal stance when it comes to opinions ranging from tackling city hall to hate groups in the region. Those groups have threatened to attack the paper, and at times have made good on that promise, with the paper's regional bureaus and vehicles having been set on fire in the past. Some of its employees have received death threats as well.

"The Spokesman-Review" is also one of a few family-owned newspapers left in the United States. It is owned by Cowles Publishing Company, which also owns KHQ-TV/Spokane and The KHQ Television Group. While the newspaper wins awards, it is also burdened with local critics and activists who suspect the Cowles family of using their alleged vast local media influence to sway public opinion. In particular a (1997-2004) issue regarding a public private partnership wherein the Cowles family may have profited, some claim, up to $20 million. This is referred to as the "River Park Square Parking Garage" issue. The newspaper underwent an independent review by the Washington News Council regarding its River Park Square coverage, and was found to be at fault for its news bias [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003702519_spokesman11m.html] Seattle Times, "Report faults Spokane paperfor new bias"] [http://wanewscouncil.org/spokane-final/title-page.html] Washington News Council, "Reporting On Yourself"] .

In 1997 three extreme-right militants were tried and eventually convicted of bombing the office of the The Spokesman-Review as well as an abortion clinic (see Citizens Rule Book#In 1997 Idaho Trials).

In 2004 Spokane mayor James E. West became the target of a sting operation conducted by the Spokesman-Review. West was later cleared of criminal charges by the FBI, but not before the mayor lost a recall vote by the citizens of Spokane in December 2005. In the summer of 2006 West died of cancer.(see ( [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/hiddenlife/view/] )

History

The Spokesman-Review was formed from the merger of the Spokane Falls Review (1883-1894) and the Spokesman (1890-1893) in 1893 and was first published under the present name on June 29, 1894.cite book | last = Dyar | first = Ralph E. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = News for an Empire: The Story of the Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Washington, and of the Field It Serves | publisher = Caxton | date = 1952 | location = Caldwell, Idaho | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = ] [ cite web|url=http://www.spokesmanreview.com/125/125yr-story.asp |title=Bumpy beginning, but quite a ride |accessdate=2008-01-01 |last=Kershner |first=Jim |date=May 19, 2007 |work=Spokesman-Review ] It later absorbed the competing afternoon paper the Spokane Chronicle.

References

External links

* [http://www.spokesmanreview.com The Spokesman-Review]
* [http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/hiddenlife/ PBS Frontline report "A Hidden Life" (November 2006)]
*cite web|url=http://www.secstate.wa.gov/HISTORY/newspapers_detail.aspx?t=6 |title=Washington History Newspaper Detail |accessdate=2008-01-01 |date=1883-1886 |format=DjVu |work=Spokane Falls Review |publisher=State of Washington