And the winner is…a loser
Michael Lacey, executive editor of the nation’s largest alternative newspaper company, including the infamous Phoenix New Times, angered dozens of Arizona journalists Friday night when he used a racial slur commonly referred to as the “n-word” during an awards speech.
Lacey used the slur while accepting an award from the local chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Lacey’s reference to an old friend of his, the late Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Tom Fitzpatrick, as “my (n-word),” sparked immediate reaction from those who attended the event. The short, impromptu speech also included vulgar phrases.
After receiving angry responses from outraged attendees, he later apologized.
Lacey was invited to the event to accept the organization’s President’s Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions in the field of journalism, according to the East Valley Tribune.
Not surprisingly, he and business partner Jim Larkin were honored last month by the ACLU Foundation of Arizona with its highest award—the Civil Libertarian of the Year Award.
April 8, 2008 at 11:36 am
Wow, what a “classy” guy!!!
April 8, 2008 at 1:27 pm
He might be an ass, but I bet he can spell. The name is Michael Lacey. Nice reporting.
April 8, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Lacey’s title as executive editor of a huge publishing conglomerate doesn’t really explain that most people think of it as a less than sterling example of journalistic standards. It is a slash and burn paper that is given away free from news boxes stationed around the city. They no doubt make a fortune in advertising revenues, but as the old adage goes: Money doesn’t care who has it.
His words were gutter language that he no doubt feels comfortable enough using that he would speak them before such a gathering and expect a laugh. What a disconnect.
April 8, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Thanks for the heads-up Cindy. We had the name spelled correctly in all but one instance, and thanks to your eagle eyes, have now corrected that flying-fingers mistake. Seeing Red AZ has no proofreaders.
April 8, 2008 at 2:08 pm
You guys are slipping. You should have offered “Cindy” a proofing job.
April 8, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Lacey - just another liberal who thinks the rules don’t apply to him.
To be fair, the New Times will sometimes report on a few things that the Bird Cage Liner (aka Fish Wrapper) won’t bother with. They do have a greater commitment to investigative reporting (which the AZ Republic can’t be bothered with, full stop). They WERE way out front on discussing the Northridge development scandal and the $97.4 million tax dollar giveaway - which only was discussed in the AZ Republic months later using out-of-state reporting and analysis (they picked up and ran George Will’s column). They have covered some of Phoenix Parks and Recreation’s bizarre tactics over the last couple of years - including the scandal on administration of the “Peaks” marathon.
However, their reportage frequently lacks necessary balance or effective consideration (witness the article on censorship in a Globe high school - which turned out to be about the school administration quashing a “story” on how to make a bong). Their attacks on Joe Arpaio and Andrew Thomas are incredibly venomous and one-sided, and their coverage of illegal immigration is incredibly biased in favor of same.
In addition - for decades I’ve found a good 1/4 to 1/3 of the NT to be outright offensive. Long story short - outside of the VERY occasional article I don’t even bother to pick it up anymore.
April 8, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Interesting that this took days for the Trib to report, and the Arizona Republic still hasn’t touched it. Can you imagine if this was a Republican who said something so outrageous? The editorial board would be calling for his head on a silver platter. This is a memorable example of liberal hypocrisy at it’s finest.