LETTER: Hoping the Binkleys can make ADN succeed

I very much enjoyed the recent piece on the bankruptcy of ADN and Alice Rogoff's role. I always felt Ms. Rogoff purchased the Anchorage Daily News not to improve the paper or to provide statewide news to Alaskans, but as an instrument to influence the political climate in Alaska. I appreciated your comments on her poor management of resources and how she left her employees and creditors in limbo. Newspapers have long held a special place in America and the "freedom of the press" written into the U.S. Constitution was addressed to newspapers and other print media of the day, as that was the principal "mass media" of the 18th century. Electronic media have moved into the public record in recent years, but newspapers still play a major role in public life, news and opinion. As you mentioned in your piece, much of the information on the internet is derived from newspaper reporting and will most likely involve a cost to the consumer in the future if it is to continue.

The Binkley family has had a long and important place in the recent history of Alaska — both politically and as major players in the tourist industry in the state. I can only think that their acquisition of the "Paper of Record" for the state is primarily altruistic in nature since so much work will be involved to undo the harm and re-establish the reputation of the ADN that has been so badly damaged in recent years. I hope they are successful in their endeavor.

Don Hepler

Meadow Lakes