Marty Baron is a Genius

By Steve Poftak
December 30th, 2008

It’s been an awkward few weeks for the Globe as reports of its finances and possible sale are floated. (Tip of the pen to Dan Kennedy’s MediaNation blog.)

But, their Spotlight Team reporting on healthcare costs and specifically the role of Partners is a reminder of the paper’s importance as an institution and a check on power. In particular, the third article detailing the “covenant” between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (the largest insurer in the state) and Partners (the dominant healthcare provider in the state) is particularly interesting. A quick look at the boards of each institution – here and here* — is reminder of what deep waters the Globe is swimming in.

Now, for the genius part, what has the Globe’s series forced Partners to do? Respond forcefully with a series of full page and quarter page ad in…..the Globe. Maybe good journalism is good business.