The Office of the Attorney General William Tong

Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

Attorney General Applauds Tribune Pledge To Retain Channel 61, Courant Editorial Independence

May 28, 2009

"I am pleased that Tribune Chairman and CEO Sam Zell has responded to my recent inquiry. I am encouraged by Mr. Zell's pledge that Fox 61 and the Hartford Courant will continue making news decisions -- what to cover and how to present it -- separately and independently. Such editorial independence is important to assuring diversity of viewpoints, coverage and opinions in the Hartford news market.

"Mr. Zell states that the Fox 61-Courant merger complies with the Federal Communications Commission's waiver allowing Tribune to own a newspaper and a TV station in the same market.

"My office will continue to review Tribune's letter, and its FCC waiver and federal law, as well as additional developments and facts."