News has no intent to buy Tribune

Contrary to some media reports, the Deseret News Publishing Co. is not seeking in any way to edit, own or control the voice and content of the Salt Lake Tribune, according to L. Glen Snarr, chairman and president of the Deseret News.

"The Deseret News supports having two newspapers under separate ownership serving the community. We are not attempting to change that situation," Snarr said.

AT&T owns the Salt Lake Tribune, which is edited by the Salt Lake Tribune Publishing Co. under a management agreement with AT&T.

AT&T and the Deseret News jointly own the Newspaper Agency Corp., which handles printing, advertising and distribution of both the News and the Tribune.

"We have had conversations with AT&T about our planned move to morning delivery and also about operational concerns. These concerns stem from sale of the Tribune to TCI in 1997 and later acquisition of TCI by AT&T in 1999, resulting in new agreements, relationships and issues that are in process of resolution. These matters have also been discussed, and are continuing to be discussed, with Salt Lake Tribune Publishing Company. The discussions are proceeding amicably, and we are hopeful agreements will be reached soon," Snarr said.

"We believe the community is well served by the presence of two separate, competing newspapers," he said.