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Richard Piatt ReportingDepending on who you talk to, Cannon taking over at the D-News is a huge deal, a curiosity or, according to some employees, the worst thing that's happened to the paper.
The Deseret Morning News has a circulation of about 75-thousand right now, but its web site is also among the most popular newspaper sites in the industry, according to its editors.
Chairman of the board Ellis Ivory told us that selecting Joe Cannon as editor is a way to position the paper for the future, be responsive to its readers and its owners, the LDS church.
Cannon admits he has a steep learning curve and a short time to prove himself.
Joe Cannon: "What our readers can expect is fair, honest, truthful reporting. This is not going to be any more or less Republican or Democrat than it has been in the past."
Over at the competition, Tribune political editor Dan Harrie is also an adjunct journalism instructor at the U. He is fascinated by the Cannon pick. Like a lot of people, he's wondering how this news will affect readers and morale in the newsroom.
Dan Harrie: "I think it's going to be a steep learning curve. And if I was a reporter over there, one question I would be asking is ‘what are your qualifications?'"
Cannon admits he doesn't have a lot of journalism experience, but he is an avid reader of newspapers and knows what he likes to see. Plus, he serves on the board of directors and knows how the paper operates.
Current editor John Hughes has been at the paper for ten years. He plans to go back to teaching at BYU after the first of the year.
