For a different view of Mike McGee's conviction . . .

Go to the black press. Milwaukee is lucky to have a diversity of opinions among its black newspapers with three that regularly voice opinions. Two of them commented this week on the conviction of African-American Alderman Michael McGee. Both offered coverage that was quite different than the mainstream Journal Sentinel.

As usual, the Milwaukee Community Journal did a thorough, professional job rounding up opinion of several black community leaders with that opinion ranging from "it's time to move on" from Council President Willie Hines to praise for McGee's leadership from former Mayor Marvin Pratt and regret from former Alderman Fred Gordon. Interestingly, both Pratt and Gordon said the evidence seemed to warrant at least some guilty verdicts.

This was in marked contrast to the Milwaukee Courier, which followed a headline reading "McGee convicted" with a deck saying "Real extortionists continue to operate central city convenience stores." The story basically defended McGee and attacked the non-black store owners who testified against him. It built its argument around the alleged high prices at the stores, and talked much more about their situation than the McGee trial. Interestingly, the Courier's webside did not mention any local stories.

The Times did not comment on the verdict either in the edition at City Hall Friday or on its website.

Both the Community Journal and the Courier also had long front page story on changes at the black radio station WMCVS-AM and the "utter chaos," as the Community Journal's headline called it, at the flood relief line. Both stories showing once again why it is important for strong community press coverage in metro areas as mainstream media cut back on reporting and stories.