By Joe Conason, salon.com
March 15, 2004 | Ever since Ralph Nader announced his independent candidacy for president last month, both friends and critics have wondered why he is running -- and where the great gadfly will obtain the enormous resources needed for a national campaign. Already there is evidence that his organization may be cutting financial corners and skirting the dubious edge of federal election and tax laws.
full: http://archive.salon.com/opinion/conason/2004/03/15/nader/
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Strange alliance Why is Rupert Murdoch's media empire publishing Ralph Nader's latest tome?
By Eric Boehlert, salon.com
July 9, 2004 | When former Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean faces third-party candidate Ralph Nader in a 90-minute debate to be aired on National Public Radio Friday, Dean is sure to press Nader on whether his run for the White House will again help Republicans on Election Day, and on whether Nader has become that party's pawn.
Another good question Dean might ask Nader, critic of corporate-controlled Washington and foe of rampant media consolidation, is why Nader's new book, which arrived in stores this week and kicks off his presidential campaign, is being published by Rupert Murdoch. Chairman of the expansive conglomerate News Corp., the conservative Murdoch has been a chief advocate for more than two decades of extensive media deregulation. And his HarperCollins is not only publishing Nader's "The Good Fight: Declare Your Independence and Close the Democracy Gap" but providing the candidate with expensive public relations promotion and media bookings.
full: http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2004/07/09/nader_murdoch/index.html
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The Washington Post June 21, 1985, Friday, Final Edition Village Voice Sold By Margot Hornblower, Washington Post Staff Writer
The Village Voice, New York's iconoclastic weekly, was bought today for more than $55 million by Leonard Stern, the wealthy and controversial owner of the Hartz Mountain pet products company and a major real estate developer in New York and New Jersey.
The Voice had been owned since 1977 by Rupert Murdoch, the Australian media magnate who owns the New York Post and recently bought a group of seven television stations for $2 billion with another partner…
A group of Voice employes, including Senior Editor Jack Newfield, met last week in the office of attorney Adam Walinsky to discuss founding an alternative paper with a new unnamed backer. "We have concerns about Leonard Stern based on things we've learned about his past, including his business practices," said JOSEPH CONASON, a political writer and union official. Murdoch, according to Voice employees, left the paper alone to pursue its independent viewpoint.
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On the phone with Ralph Nader Salon editor David Talbot and the presidential contender have a frank and honest exchange of views.
July 14, 2004 | Last Friday, Ralph Nader's campaign spokesman Kevin Zeese e-mailed Salon, saying that Nader wanted to speak with Salon editor David Talbot "about recent articles that have appeared in Salon concerning him and his candidacy." The following is a transcript of the ensuing three-way phone conversation among Nader, Zeese and Talbot. It ranged over Rupert Murdoch (whose company published Nader's new book), Democratic "dirty tricks" against the independent candidate's presidential bid, and Nader's acceptance of conservative money and support.
Nader opened the conversation by charging that Salon had not solicited a response from him when preparing two recent critical pieces about him -- "The Dark Side of Ralph Nader," by Lisa Chamberlain, and "Strange Alliance," by Eric Boehlert. For the record, Chamberlain made repeated phone calls to Nader's campaign office and Zeese's cellphone seeking a comment from Nader or his spokesman but received no replies. And Boehlert spoke to Zeese on the phone, quoting him in his piece.
Nader: Why didn't your reporters call for a response?
Talbot: They did.
Nader: Since [Lisa Chamberlain] was writing about the campaign, wouldn't you have the decency to call our campaign office?
Talbot: It's always Salon's procedure, whenever we do a critical article on anyone -- whether it's the Bush administration or you or anyone -- to give them a chance to respond. That's always our policy.
full: http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/07/14/naderphonecall/index.html
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The San Francisco Chronicle AUGUST 10, 2001, FRIDAY, FINAL EDITION Salon backers kick in more cash; 11-member group puts up $2.5 million amid further layoffs By Dan Fost
Salon Media Group said yesterday that a new infusion of cash -- and a new round of layoffs -- will help it reach profitability by the end of this year.
Longtime Salon investor BILL HAMBRECHT and Adobe Systems founder John Warnock are leading a group of 11 investors in putting $2.5 million into the struggling online magazine and may add another $1.5 million during the next month, Salon chief executive Michael O'Donnell said.
But to help get it there, the company cut its workforce from 85 to 55 -- down from a peak of 175 during the Internet heyday. Fourteen people lost their jobs yesterday, and a number of open positions are being eliminated, O'Donnell said. The cuts will leave Salon with an editorial staff of 30. The San Francisco Chronicle
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The San Francisco Chronicle FEBRUARY 27, 1998, FRIDAY, FINAL EDITION Trapped in Pacific Heights Clinton's dinner locked the place up By: PAT STEGER
''They let me through right away. I told them I was an intern,'' said Sallie Huntting, who ran into President Clinton's security Wednesday on her way to a party at Linda Ronstadt's home. Because he was having dinner nearby at Sally and BILL HAMBRECHT'S co-op, six square blocks in Pacific Heights had been cordoned off. Can't be too careful -- Republicans hang out around there.
The names of the dinner guests, such as Sally Lilienthal, Steve and Mary Swig, and Steve Jobs with wife Laurene, as well as those going to Linda's were on security lists.
The biggest list was for the Garden Show party at Linda's: Jan Sargent and Shelagh Rohlen signed up 600 patrons ($ 500 a person), and they all seemed to be at the party celebrating the Garden Show's preview party March 25 at the Cow Palace.
Linda, who is relocating, wasn't at the party (her house is on the market via pal Libby Pfau of Hill and Co. for $ 5.85 million), but her furniture, gorgeous antique linens and lots of photos were. ''It's like our own Decorator's Showcase,'' said one patron. Those who stayed late thought they might have to spend the night in Linda's four- posters. After the president arrived for dinner, the Secret Service didn't want anyone on the street. After some gentle protesting, the stragglers were allowed out.
The security was also tight yesterday at a small lunch Clinton had with friends such as Susie and Mark Buell, Jack and Kay Theimer, and Martha Wetstone. It had leaked that they were at One Market, then everyone -- and the centerpieces -- moved to Postrio. The dudes did it: ''I gotta go meet the president. Why don't you come with me?'' said Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley to actor Luke Perry and Lori Puccinelli at Planet Hollywood, where Jonny presented skis and the cap he wore after he finished his race to Lori for PH's memorabilia collection. It's the same kind of multicolored cap he also gave Rosie O'Donnell on TV and Ali Speer of Emporio Armani, which proves that we didn't realize how clever Jonny really is, changing caps faster than he moguls.
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