Before the terror attacks, the media were having fun with the Gary Condit story and, to a much lesser extent, the Jesse Jackson story. Condit had an affair with intern Chandra Levy, which he publicly denied, and may be linked to her disappearance. Jackson had an illegitimate child and used his tax-exempt organization to help pay for it. It’s sordid material but it generates interest and ratings.

      Here’s another such story: USA Today founder Allen Neuharth had an alleged illegitimate child and has played a role in killing a book that wanted to discuss it. The book controversy has been covered by the New York Post in a story by Keith J. Kelly appearing in the business section of the paper. It’s actually an old story. His alleged illegitimate daughter, Rosamunda, has been trying to get the interest and attention of her father for years. Neuharth, a multimillionaire, reportedly paid her a measly $100 a month until she was 21.

      A group called the Freedom Forum, which was also founded by Neuharth, had commissioned a book about him, and the author, former NBC News President Michael Gartner, had come across the illegitimate daughter story. Gartner interviewed the daughter and the mother, who cited evidence of Neuharth’s paternity. Apparently, Gartner came to believe the story was true and was going to include it in the book. But Neuharth said there was no way he would cooperate with the project if that was included. The Freedom Forum vaguely announced there would be no book because Neuharth wouldn’t cooperate with it.

      His alleged daughter, Rosamunda, who wants a DNA test to confirm Neuharth is her father, commented, “The irony of all this is that the Freedom Forum is supposed to be championing the First Amendment.” Needless to say, you won’t see this story reported by USA Today or its Gannett News Service. In a further irony, Kelly of the Post noted that Neuharth has a reputation as a champion of women’s rights. That means abortion rights. This makes more sense in light of Kelly’s report that Neuharth had offered to pay to abort his daughter. That may explain why he wants nothing to do with her.

      A liberal lifestyle may translate into liberal politics. USA Today certainly has a very liberal editorial position. Indeed, Gannett, which is the nation’s largest newspaper publisher, will soon offer full medical benefits to same-sex partners who live together. The company also will offer benefits to unmarried domestic partners of the opposite sex. The benefits for partners will become available in January 2002. To be eligible, the “partners” must first have had a 12-month relationship and must sign an affidavit that declares there is financial dependence between them. Gannett’s decision was hailed by gay and lesbian groups. “To stay competitive you have to provide good benefits,” said Sherry Boschert of The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. “It just makes good business sense.”

      This is important to keep in mind when the liberal media, including USA Today, cover sordid sex stories. Gannett encourages shacking-up and provides benefits for those who do. But the Neuharth case shows what can happen as a result.

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