Media Monitor: May 22

“Two problems” with the Strib: When commenters at the Minneapolis Issues Forum, an online e-democracy project, called Strib reporter Mike Kaszuba’s recent report on woes at the Minneapolis library “shallow” and written as if “there were a whole group of people standing behind the reporter pulling out the critical hard hitting article he may or may not have been writing…perhaps for fear of litigation,” newsroom veteran Steve Brandt came to his defense, pointing out two “handicaps” Kaszuba faced: the story was edited down, and it could’ve run months earlier.

Brandt, who has offered sharp critiques of his bosses online before, says the case “demonstrates two problems with how the newspaper is run” — it doesn’t automatically put up longer versions of stories on its blog Buzz.mn, and it has a “ponderous editing process here that results in things getting in the paper after their timeliness has ebbed.” Cryptically, Brandt adds that there’s “reason for cautious optimism” at the paper — although he doesn’t go into details — and it involves a reporting “team specifically focused on Minneapolis in a way we’ve lacked.”

Kaszuba didn’t reply to an e-mail asking for comment.

Where’s Eric? Strib columnist C.J. reports that WCCO-AM reporter and TPT’s “Almanac” host Eric Eskola has gone on “extended leave.” As rumors of emotional or health problems swirl, C.J. called Eskola’s wife, MPR’s Kathy Wurzer, who wouldn’t comment on why Eskola hasn’t been covering the legislature, his forte.

Gore in the Media: On “Good Morning America” Monday, Al Gore offered Diane Sawyer some joking but pointed media criticism. When she parroted former Gore campaign manager Donna Brazille’s quip that “if he drops 25 to 30 pounds, he’s running,” he replied, “Listen to your questions. The horse race, the cosmetic parts of this — look, that’s all understandable and natural. But while we’re focused on Britney and K-fed and Anna Nicole Smith and all this stuff, meanwhile, very quietly, our country has been making some very serious mistakes that could be avoided if we, the people, including the news media, are involved in a full and vigorous discussion of what our choices are.”

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