 Seen a Rogue on the loose? Get in touch with our Roguemeister: JOHN SCHRAG jschrag@wweek.com (503) 243-2122 FAX: (503) 243-1115 This week our fickle finger of shame points to a pair of fellow newspapermen, George Vaughan and Bill Swindells, for failing to come clean with their readers. The roguish behavior began last fall, when the Oregon City News and the Clackamas Review, both owned by Swindells, went through some serious changes. First, the once-free papers began charging subscriptions. Second, the joint editorial staff was halved and the two papers, which previously published distinct content, became identical except for their names. In addition, according to Pat Malach, the former editor of the two papers, the staffers who remained were told that quality journalism was no longer a goal. Malach, now an assistant editor at The Daily Astorian, says he voiced opposition to the diminished emphasis on news, particularly given that the papers were publishing editorials claiming the changes were aimed at improving coverage. "I told them it was a con job," Malach says. "I was aghast that they were using a newspaper to deceive people." Malach was laid off in mid-November. Vaughan, publisher of both papers, concedes that they contain less news than before but says the changes were necessary because both papers were losing money. "We have shifted to being a more advertiser-friendly paper," he says. "We're not looking for Pulitzer prizes--we can't afford that." Ordinarily, we'd chalk all this up to an unfortunate business decision--one that is all too common in this industry. But a second change delves into the realm of roguedom. In December, less than two months into the reincarnation, Swindells switched back to free distribution, leaving 5,500 new subscribers paying $25 each for what other readers were getting at no cost. Despite delivering only a small fraction of what subscribers had paid for, Swindells was reluctant to give back the $140,000 collected. In an internal memo obtained by WW, Swindells directed his staff to defend the flip-flop and only offer refunds if pressed--at 75 percent of the remaining value. Vaughan stands by the policy. Many of the subscribers live outside
the free distribution zone, he says, and of the rest, only about 20
have asked for their money back. "They got what they paid for," he says,
"they're happy."
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