Big News for Detroit's Newspapers

Growing up, I was a Free Press reader. They had Dick Tracy and Joe Falls. Lately, I've been a News fan. They have Sue Whitall and Lynn Henning. The Joint Operating Agreement that allowed the two papers to co-exist, yet still compete, was something unusual when it came to be and the announcement of how Knight Ridder and Gannett decided to realign their interests in the two dailies is just as unique.

Knight Ridder is selling its partnership interest in the Detroit Newspaper Agency to MediaNews and Gannett in a round about way. MediaNews Group is buying The Detroit News from Gannett and Gannett is buying the Detroit Free Press and will become the general partner in the new entity.
Sometime in 2006 readers will find the News on their doorsteps in the morning. Both papers will publish Saturday editions while the Freep will become the sole publisher of a Sunday edition.

One of the casualties of the deal is Freep editor/publisher Carol Leigh Hutton. The official press release states that she will "will remain with Knight Ridder" along with soon to be ex-Freep managing editor Jerry Teagan. Mark Silverman, the current News editor/publisher will join the Gannett corporate staff.

David L. Hunke, former president and publisher of the Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle will be the new Freep president and publisher, while former Des Moines (IA) Register editor Paul E. Anger will wield the blue pen as Freep editor. David J. Butler, formerly editor of the MediaNews LA Daily News will become editor/publisher of The News.

Mark S. Mikolajczyk, senior vice president/operations for the Gannett Newspaper Division, will become president and CEO of the Detroit Newspaper Partnership, while acting CEO Ed Humphrey "will return to his regular duties" as senior vice president/circulation.

Mark Silverman will join the Gannett's Newspaper Division corporate news staff. He was publisher and editor of The Detroit News.