Many Tribune readers will recognize the names of four veteran journalists behind a political news Web site scheduled to launch Monday called The Arizona Guardian. Patti Epler, Paul Giblin, Mary K. Reinhart and Dennis Welch are working together to develop something along the lines of a Politico.com for Arizona. The four say they intend to offer a mix of breaking news and nonpartisan analysis that appeals to people who work in government and those who have to constantly work with government (such as lobbyists and political party activitists). They will compete immediately in a specialized market that up to now has been dominated by the Arizona Capitol Times and the growing crop of independent (and mostly part-time) political blogs.
What’s really interesting about The Arizona Guardian is its business model, which will attempt to deny the Internet culture of everything should be free. This Web site will be subscription-based, with most of its reporting available only to readers who pay up front.
The money behind this venture comes from Bob Grossfeld, known in political circles as president of a Scottsdale political strategy and advertising firm called The Media Guys. Grossfeld works for Democrats and progressive groups, so Epler, Giblin, Welch and Reinhart will have to demonstrate quickly in writing their commitment to keep Grossfeld’s politics out of the Guardian’s pages.
UPDATE: The folks at the Arizona Guardian asked me to be clear that the five people I mentioned (Epler, Giblin, Grossfeld, Welch and Reinhart) are all equal owners in the Web site. Grossfeld is providing the business support while the other four will guide the journalism.
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Lee,
As of this writing, about 4pm on Monday, we’ve heard almost universally that the Arizona Guardian’s Editorial staff has done exactly what you advised: “…demonstrate quickly in writing their commitment to keep Grossfeld’s politics out of the Guardian’s pages.”
Certainly you know better than most how fiercely independent and committed to journalistic integrity your four former colleagues are.
So, while I have no interest in injecting my “politics” into the Guardian, I believe with all my heart that Epler, Giblin, Reinhart and Walsh are fully capable of beating me into a bloody pulp if I ever tried.
Le,
Enjoyed the squib on the Arizona Guardian — we need more creative Journalism on our local government beyond blaming the County Sheriff.
Personnally hope they do well in filling a missing sector in local news.