Locke Mends Wounds With Media Governor Apologizes For Digs, Pledges Open Administration

A day after taking a jab at the media, Gov. Gary Locke on Thursday apologized for his broadbrush comments and said he wants his administration to be open with reporters.

During a speech to about 1,000 state government managers Wednesday, Locke said media reports on government waste are part of the reason for voters’ unhappiness with government.

“Like most of you, I blame the media for some of it,” he said. “Waste-in-government stories have become a depressingly regular feature of the news media. And many of those stories are one-sided and misleading.”

Locke later referred to “dumb media stories” and complained that government managers will never get rich and “none of us will ever win a Pulitzer Prize or an Oscar for public service.”

Capitol reporters quickly had “Dumb Media” lapel pins printed up and descended on a bill-signing ceremony Thursday to razz the governor.

After joking with reporters - Locke wondered, for instance, whether the term “dumb media” is redundant - he opened his formal remarks by apologizing for any perceived press-bashing.

“I made some remarks I regret,” Locke said. “I’m sorry for the poor choice of words.”

Locke said his wife, former television newswoman Mona Lee, had already complained to him: “Those are my friends you’re talking about.”

Reporters told him they try not to be thin-skinned or take remarks personally, but that an anti-media attitude from a chief executive sends a message that his administration can stiff-arm the media.

Locke replied that he will run an open administration and welcomes scrutiny. He said investigations by journalists can lead to needed reforms in such areas as foster care or housing, topics recently tackled by the Seattle media.

“The press is a watchdog on government,” he said.

Locke said if he has criticism of a particular story, he will try to be specific. He later was presented with his own “Dumb Media” pin.