Leading Sheep to Slaughter

We have to wonder whether the large crowds at Tribune-owned Wrigley Field could be related to constant Cubs promotion from Tribune employees working undercover as journalists who are supposed to be providing vital information to Chicagoland residents. For example, today the "news staff" at Tribune-owned CLTV provided a special weather report for the Cubs game -- I've never seen them do this for a Sox game -- and then in the typical cute banter between meteorologist (Tim McGill) and anchor (Tanya Francisco), the anchor lamented that she couldn't attend today's Cubs game. I've never seen a CLTV anchor say such a thing about a Sox game either. This also seems to be standard practice on Tribune-owned WGN radio. WGN personalities often identify themselves with Cubs fans, or lament the team's losses, or banter about a trip to the ballpark. It's just not appropriate for journalists to promote business interests in this way while they're engaged in the serious business of informing the public. The Tribune has made it standard practice in Chicago, which is sad for Chicago and sad for American journalism.