By: Todd Shields Antitrust Concerns Raised By Rival Papers
A Washington Post Co. subsidiary has finalized its purchase of 10 Maryland publications, most of them community papers.
The move broadens the company's reach in suburbs dominated by its flagship daily - and has attracted criticism. The rival Washington Times in a letter to the U.S. Justice Department said the purchase may raise antitrust concerns. Maryland authorities told the Post that state antitrust officials are looking into the sale. And a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Maryland says Gazette Newspapers Inc.'s purchase from Chesapeake Publishing Corp. violates antitrust law.
The suit was brought on behalf of Kenneth C. Rossignol, publisher of St. Mary's Today, and Berlyn Inc., which publishes the Prince George's Sentinel and the Montgomery County Sentinel.
Post Co. spokesman Chip Knight said antitrust allegations have "no merit." No price was disclosed for the sale, which closed March 1.
Todd Shields (tshields@editorandpublisher.com) is the Washington editor for E&P.
Copyright 2001, Editor & Publisher.
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