Conservative columnist quits C-J after editors reject column critical of paper

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 — Louisville attorney and conservative columnist John David Dyche has severed ties with the Louisville Courier-Journal after the newspaper rejected his latest column.

Louisville’s WFPL reported Friday afternoon that Dyche resigned after the newspaper rejected his column that was critical of the newspaper. Pam Platt, the newspaper’s editorial director, told Dyche his column did not reflect what Dyche was supposed to write for the newspaper.

Dyche told Platt he had never been told what his columns were supposed to be about, and that the column focused on what he saw as the paper’s liberal media bias. He told Platt if she would not change her mind, he would sever quit writing for the newspaper.

In an interview with WFPL, Dyche said he felt the column was one of public interest — which included media bias and the status of the newspaper industry. “They (the C-J) just don’t seem willing to subject themselves to the same scrutiny and demands that they routinely subject others to,” he said.

The column rejected by the newspaper suggested the C-J give equal space on its editorial pages for liberal and conservative views. He also recommended the newspaper practice the transparency it often demands by disclosing political affiliations of editors and reporters, streaming meetings live, and making public newsroom correspondence on stories and policies.

Dyche has been a regular columnist for the newspaper since 2003. He also has been a panelist for KET election and political coverage and a regular visitor to KET’s “Comment on Kentucky.”

The text of Dyche’s rejected column can be read here (courtesy of WFPL).

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