Full disclosure, please
A Romenesko reader points us to a Star Tribune story headlined “Board dismisses longtime local indie film champion,” and writes: “The dismissed executive director cited here is the wife of Star-Tribune A&E editor Tim Campbell. That association goes unmentioned in this story. …There is a one-sidedness to this story, and the unmentioned Campbell-Minton relationship makes it more egregious.”
I asked Campbell about that (and also sent my email to editor Nancy Barnes). Campbell promptly replied:
When the press release moved yesterday, I immediately informed our AME for features, Kate Parry, and recused myself from the story. So I can’t — and rightfully so — speak to how it was handled.
I am copying Kate on this, so she might comment on it.
UPDATE: Parry sends this email:
Tim forwarded your message about the Jane Minton story that ran on B2 today. As Tim noted, he immediately mentioned the conflict of interest that would be there if he edited a story about his wife and I assigned the story to another editor, who worked with the reporter. As for whether the piece had balance, Colin worked hard at getting the board’s reaction, and as you’ll see in the fourth graph, the IFP board president Christie Rothenberg Healey declined to comment. So, Colin began trying to reach others on the board and was able to get to Michael Bodnarchek — but his comments ended up questioning the decision. Hindsight being 20/20, I wish we’d thought to mention Tim’s relationship to her in the piece, even though he had nothing to do with deciding to do the story or editing it. It would have been worth simply noting that he works here.
Proof that Campbell had nothing to do with this story? “Minton could not be reached for comment.”
* Board dismisses longtime local indie film champion (startribune.com)
