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Newspapers crossing the line with Obama trinkets?

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor November 21, 2008 02:59 PM

There was a lot of teeth-gnashing during the campaign about whether the media was swooning over Barack Obama, or just giving him more coverage because his candidacy was so historic.

Now, there's some angst about newspapers cashing in on Obama's victory with all sorts of commemorative memorabilia.

Ron Martz, writing today on Editor & Publisher's website, says that newspapers have crossed the line with trinkets such coffee mugs with the front-page of the day after the election ($15.99 for the Washington Post's) or framed front pages ($229.95 at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Los Angeles Times has brought in nearly $700,000 from sales of such items.

(Full disclosure: The Globe's store is offering back issues of the Nov. 5 paper for $4, but no other items.)

It's not unusual for newspapers to offer such items for, say, a World Series victory. But it is not typical for a national election.

"In an era of declining media revenues, loss of newspaper circulation and falling viewership among local TV newscasts, the media will do virtually anything to make a few bucks, even if it means selling their ethical souls," Martz writes.

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So who is Ron Martz?

Posted by steve1950 November 21, 08 04:42 PM
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Not so full disclosure - The Globe's parent company the NEW YORK TIMES is sigled out as the "worst ethical miscreant....the leader of the pro-Obama, andti-McCain coverage....has a slew of the stuff, (memorabilia) most of it more expensive than that of their media counterparts..."

Posted by Brian November 21, 08 05:29 PM
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When it comes to Obama the only question about the media is whether they spit or swallow?

Posted by Bill November 21, 08 05:37 PM
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who cares how this newspaper or any newspaper endorses for political office.if the majority of voters choose to vote the way they are told,by a newspaper,then that is the extent of there political involvement.

Posted by happy voter November 24, 08 11:29 AM
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