News Council dismisses ballpark complaint against newspaper

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A complaint by the Taxpayers League of Minnesota against the Star Tribune of Minneapolis over the editorial board's support of a new ballpark was dismissed Monday by the Minnesota News Council.

Darrell McKigney, president of the league, appealed Monday's decision to the council's executive committee. McKigney contends that the paper had improperly backed a new Twins stadium because the paper could benefit financially.

In dismissing the complaint, News Council executive director Gary Gilson said the league, which focuses on reducing taxes and government spending, didn't point to specific editorials and that the issue was being openly discussed at the paper.

The Star Tribune reported on its news pages last week that business leaders, including Star Tribune publisher John Schueler, are leading a discussion about building a new Twins stadium. The article also reported that land near the Star Tribune building was among the sites being considered if such a stadium were built.

''If the publisher of the Star Tribune had decreed no news coverage of his involvement with the stadium task force, and the news department had remained silent, then you would have a breach of ethics,'' Gilson wrote.

The News Council is an independent agency that hears complaints against the media. It is composed of media members and other citizens.