Although it's not exactly known for longform investigative journalism, Snopes.com — the place you go to find whether the Momo Challenge is a real thing or if a shark was truly photographed swimming down a highway after a hurricane — turns out to be the perfect place for an exposé about the Tennessee Star.
The Star appeared in early 2017, and many in local media circles have looked at it askance ever since. That's because, well, it often reads like the Facebook page of a loosely hinged, red-hatted right-wing uncle. Still, it's presented as the "most reliable local newspaper across Tennessee."Â Â
A Politico story last year peeked under the hood of the Star and similar "Baby Breitbarts" popping up across the country, revealing the conservative figures behind the site: Steve Gill and Michael Patrick Leahy (as well as Christina Botteri). Take it away, Snopes:
Now, a Snopes investigation reveals in detail how these activists used the appearance of local newspapers to promote messages paid for or supported by outside or undisclosed interests. Gill, for example, is the political editor of the Tennessee Star, but he also owns a media consulting company that at least one candidate and one Political Action Committee (PAC) paid before receiving positive coverage in the Tennessee Star. Several Star writers have in the past or currently work for PACs or political campaigns that they write about, without disclosing that fact. Though its owners claim that the Tennessee Star is funded by advertising revenue, it appears to be supported by wealthy benefactors. Whatever the Tennessee Star is, it is not a local newspaper producing transparent journalism.
The piece, by Alex Kasprak and Bethania Palma, is worth reading in full. Among its noteworthy details are the fact that the Star's "investigative journalist" worked “for a political PAC to help elect Bill Lee governor in 2018” before going on to cover the Lee campaign for the Star, and that Gill's consulting company "provided services to several clients" — including state Senate candidate Joe Carr — "during the time he was political editor of the Tennessee Star while they also received coverage on that site."Â
The Snopes coverage of the Star brings to mind the Tennessee Holler, which has become a constant presence at the state Capitol and garnered a lot of attention for a recorded confrontation with state House Speaker Glenn Casada. It's true that the Holler hasn't been forthcoming about who's behind it, but the website is registered under the name of Justin Kanew, a 2018 Democratic congressional candidate. The Holler describes itself as "an audience-supported publication that seeks to amplify voices throughout Tennessee and tell the truth about what’s happening in our state." There's no doubt that the site is putting out a sort of left-of-center advocacy journalism, even if they haven't shrouded it with language about "local news" the way the Star does.Â
In a letter sent to the Tennessee Democratic Party's executive committee in December announcing her candidacy for party chair, Holly McCall — who confirms to the Scene that she was involved in getting the Holler started — said Democrats needed a Star-like outlet of their own.
"The far right has The Tennessee Star, a radical online outlet that consistently pushes a unified message," she wrote. "It’s a terrible message, but it’s a highly effective outlet. We need a full-service communications shop that’s creating original content with up-to-date digital tools, including memes, videos and consistent cross platform messaging." Â
