News Guild of Maine Responds to Nonprofit’s Proposed Purchase of Maine Newspapers
Union news workers are vetting a proposed purchase of Maine media mogul Reade Brower's newspapers as he considers an offer from the Maine Journalism Foundation, a newly formed news nonprofit. In late March, Brower announced that he is exploring ways to transition from being the sole owner of Masthead Maine — the parent company that owns the Portland Press Herald, Kennebec Journal, Morning Sentinel, Lewiston Sun Journal and 25 weekly newspapers across the state — by either selling the company or taking on new partners.
On April 23, retired Portland Press Herald columnist Bill Nemitz announced in a column that the newly formed Maine Journalism Foundation is launching a campaign to raise at least $15 million to purchase and operate Brower’s newspapers. Brower told the Portland Press Herald last week that he is “open” to the idea.
In a statement, the News Guild of Maine (CWA Local 31128), which represents 200 workers at the Portland Press Herald and the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, said it sees the Maine Journalism Foundation as “a good-faith effort led by people who know our state and have the knowledge to develop a sustainable business model.”
While it believes the foundation has “great potential,” the union said workers still have many questions about the proposal. The union said members are planning to meet with the organization to discuss what it would mean for Masthead Maine workers and “continue to seek a meeting with Reade Brewer to talk about our hopes for the future.”
“We have seen how bad actors gut local news organizations to the detriment of communities,” reads the statement. “We will fight to keep hedge funds and out-of-state chains away from Maine journalism. No matter what, we will strongly advocate for any new owner or partner to honor all of the existing contracts for employees at Masthead Maine.”
Over the past 25 years, the News Guild of Maine has been through some very challenging times as it transitioned through multiple owners including Guy Gannett Communications, the Seattle Times Company, Maine Today Media and philanthropist Donald Sussman, who sold the company to Reade Brower in 2012.
Richard Connor, the former head of Maine Today, notoriously mismanaged the company, slashed wages and eliminated numerous news room positions. Following his unceremonious departure in 2011, forensic audits revealed that Connor had given himself unauthorized salary increases and used company funds to pay for personal expenses, including credit card bills, dental work, an SUV, vacation home rentals, and numerous other personal expenses.
Not surprisingly, News Guild members are doing their due diligence to carefully vet any proposed purchase to ensure the people who produce the news are protected.
“The News Guild of Maine has been the constant at the Portland Press Herald and the Morning Sentinel through ownership changes and industry tumult,” the union stated. “Our priority will always be making sure employees have a voice in our workplace and are empowered to produce vital journalism that makes Maine a better place for everyone.”
In addition to Bill Nemitz, who serves as the Maine Journalism Foundation’s President, the organization's board includes Emily Barr, a former CEO of Graham Media Group, and Bill Burke, a former CEO of The Weather Channel Companies. The board is being advised by Public Media Co. Director Carlos Barrionuevo of Georgetown and Maddy Corson, a Portland philanthropist and former chair of Guy Gannett Communications.