The Spokesman-Review

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The Spokesman-Review

The July 27, 2005 front page of
The Spokesman-Review
Type Daily newspaper
Format Broadsheet
Owner Cowles Publishing Company
Publisher William Stacey Cowles
Editor Steven A. Smith
Founded 1894
Language English
Headquarters 999 West Riverside Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201
United States
Circulation Daily, 95,273, Sunday, 121,000
Website: 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 (In 2005 with the embattled, and later recalled, late mayor Jim West and the Spokane city council) 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 is currently undergoing an independent review by the Washington News Council regarding its River Park Square coverage. The results from that review will be released this summer.

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).

[edit] 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.[1][2] It later absorbed the competing afternoon paper the Spokane Chronicle.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dyar, Ralph E. (1952). News for an Empire: The Story of the Spokesman-Review of Spokane, Washington, and of the Field It Serves. Caldwell, Idaho: Caxton. 
  2. ^ Kershner, Jim (May 19, 2007). Bumpy beginning, but quite a ride. Spokesman-Review. Retrieved on 2008-01-01.

[edit] External links