Is Phil Anschutz more conservative than Rupert Murdoch?

Categories: Media

a phil anschutz mug.jpg
Phil Anschutz.

When the Rocky Mountain News was put up for sale last December, speculation immediately turned to potential buyers -- and the first name on everyone's lips was Phil Anschutz. After all, the publicity shy gazillionaire is Denver-based and had already demonstrated an interest in newspapering via his investment in assorted physical and virtual Examiner products keyed to markets across the country. Moreover, his fundamental conservatism, exemplified by his Walden Media filmmaking wing (which produced the two Chronicles of Narnia flicks and a slew of other even blander offerings), seemed to jibe with the Rocky's right-leaning editorial views.

Then again, maybe those views didn't lean quite far enough. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that Anschutz is near a deal to purchase The Weekly Standard, a Bill Kristol-founded volume of ultra-right loonbaggery that Rupert Murdoch, its current owner, may now regard as too conservative by his standards -- and Murdoch isn't exactly known as a flaming liberal (or even lukewarm one). A lot of us miss the Rocky -- but had the tabloid become Weekly Standard-ized, we might have wound up preferring the alternative.

My Voice Nation Help
0 comments
Sort: Newest | Oldest

From the Vault

 

©2013 Denver Westword, LLC, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places Denver / Boulder

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city