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Author Luke Ford and reporter Draeger Martinez

Eric Spillman vs. Luke Ford

Ok, who won?

Graphic courtesy of ERS News
The Los Angeles Times piece we all expected has finally arrived. And it is the SOB SISTER for Mirthala Salinas.

Telemundo executives are close to deciding the fate of Mirthala Salinas, who had a romantic relationship with L.A.’s mayor while reporting on him.

Mirthala Salinas was a rising star at one of Los Angeles’ premier Spanish-language television stations before she came to be known as the other woman in Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s life.

A respected and aggressive journalist, she anchored a newscast that won two local Emmy Awards at KVEA-TV Channel 52 during her 10 years at the Telemundo station. She earned a Golden Mike broadcasting award as well.

“She was very smart and always had her finger on the pulse of the community,” said one former Telemundo executive, who recalled the 35-year-old newscaster as poised and articulate.

Now, Salinas’ career hangs in the balance as Telemundo executives decide as early as Monday whether to fire her for having a romantic relationship with Villaraigosa while she was covering him as a political reporter.

Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah…….

The Los Angeles Times first apologizes for Mayor Villaraigosa’s immoral and unethical conduct and now is spinning the POWER FUC**R as the poor rising media star as the unfortunate victim.

Instead of directing an inquiry into the Mayor’s relationship with Salinas in the press room and with special interests, they profile Salinas and make a case of her continued employment at NBC/Telemundo:

“She is a community figure; people relate to her and respect her,” said Rochelle Newman-Carrasco, chief executive of Enlace, an L.A. communications marketing firm that specializes in Latino media. “Spanish-language news anchors are not just readers of the news. They are the voice of the community; they are advocates for the community and role models.”

GAG - BARF ALERT

And whether Mirthala’s relationship with the Mayor gave him favorable press treatment and NBC/Telemundo access to stories they otherwise would not have, the Los Angeles Times has this:

In an interview this week, Villaraigosa said he never gave Salinas or Channel 52 an advantage, adding that he regularly appears on many of Los Angeles’ television newscasts and provides almost unfettered access to reporters seeking one-on-one interviews.

“I play more favorites with … the L.A. Times than I have with anybody on this beat,” he said. “Honest-to-God truth.”

MORE GAGGING

During the course of a television interview on June 19, 2006, Villaraigosa walks with Salinas outside the state Capitol.

When the Los Angeles Times wants to protect someone, they go all the way.

But, why is the largest newspaper in Los Angeles protecting Mirthala Salinas and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, excusing their unethical conduct and failing to investigate the affair?

Isn’t it obvious?

Readers, you tell Flap…….

By the way, Mirthala is in NO danger of being fired.

Previous:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Telemundo Faces Ethics Dilemma in Mirthala Salinas Affair

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Question of the Day

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: What and When Did Telemundo/NBC Know About the Villaraigosa - Mirthala Salinas Affair?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: KNBC Television Requests Mayor’s E-mails and Calendar

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas and the New York Minute

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas and Bikini Journalism

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Villaraigosa Skips TV Interview - Dispatches Spin Masters

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas’ Condo Prompts Ethics Questions for Mayor

Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The Redemption Tour Or A Lesson in How To Spin the Truth

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Says NO To Affair with Mayor; Mayor Says NO to Other Affairs

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: He’s BACK

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Monday Antonio and Mirthala

Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Latinas Feel Betrayed As MORE Rumors Circulate; Update: More Women to Watch?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Sabrina Kay Rumors Heat Up Los Angeles City Hall

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Fading Latino Star - Another Alleged Affair Leaves Questions

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Mirthala Salinas Placed on Leave by Telemundo

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: Still A Contender for California Governor in 2008?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Watch: The End of a Political Career

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The Los Angeles Times continues to lose circulation:

The comparisons are based on the six-month period ending March 2007 and the six-month period ending March 2006.

4.2 % loss in daily circulation to 815,723

4.7% loss in Sunday circulation to 1,173,096

Other notable newspapers:

The three large national papers made some strides in increases. However, The New York Times, which usually experiences small gains, lost daily circulation, down 1.9% to 1,120,420 while Sunday fell 3.3% to 1,627,062. USA Today reported that daily circulation was up 0.2% to 2,278,022. As reported earlier, The Wall Street Journal also increased, up 0.6% to 2,062,312.

The Washington Post lost 3.4% of its weekday circ to 699,130 copies. Sunday fell 3.2% to 929,921.

Daily circulation at The Orange County (Calif.) Register slipped 5% to 284,613 while Sunday was down 7% to 329,549.

Flap is happy to report that blog readership has increased.

But, it is a rare event indeed that I see anyone reading a newsprint newspaper in public and most of my colleagues, friends and acquaintances do not subscribe.