Koch Brothers: Not Interested in Purchasing Tribune Newspapers

August 23rd, 2013 1:30 AM

Billionaire philanthropists and conservative donors Charles and David Koch are not interested in purchasing newspapers currently owned by the Tribune Company.

A spokeswoman for Koch Industries confirmed this officially Thursday after the Daily Caller filed an item based upon anonymous sources saying the brothers did not wish to purchase the newspapers which include the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune.

"Koch continues to have an interest in the media business and we’re exploring a broad range of opportunities where we think we can add value. In terms of the Tribune, the Daily Caller story is accurate," Koch Industries spokeswoman Melissa Cohlmia told Politico reporter Dylan Byers.

(Sidenote: In the item linked above, Byers calls the Kochs "conservative" but does not affix a label to one of the potential buyers for the Los Angeles Times, Eli Broad, a big-time Democratic donor.)

It appears one possible reason that Koch Industries did not move further on the Tribune front was pure economics. According to the Daily Caller, "the decision to end the negotiations came from a recognition that the deal would be unfavorable for both parties involved."

Politico quoted Cohlmia as saying that purchasing the newspapers was not "economically viable."

The conservative brothers are still said to be interested in purchasing media outlets, however, to what extent that actually might translate into something is unknown.

After word leaked out that Koch Industries was at least theoretically interested in purchasing Tribune this past March, far-left activists went into fascist mode trying to whip up partisans into a frenzy against the very thought that non-liberals might actually be able to influence major news organizations. Other media lefties were more mature in understanding that anyone who has the money should be able to buy newspapers if they are for sale.