Phil Matier and
Andy Ross, the
Chronicle's Investigative dynamic duo, "
Matier and Ross", are the most powerful figures in Bay Area media.
One of the town's leading PR figures, (the person asked for anonymity), noted Matier in particular with his multiple platforms, (
KPIX,
KCBS), carries huge cachet in SF media circles and beyond.
"
On the BART strike and its aftermath alone, both the unions and management felt the wrath of their, (M&R),
reporting. I'm sure BART was just thrilled the public got wind of the $3 grand cost of sandwiches.", offered the PR person.
Beyond the
BART imbroglio, Matier and Ross were all over the new
Bay Bridge fiasco and its continuing
issues involving safety.
More than just having name access to some of the biggest and most influential politicians in both the city and Sacramento, the pair can often set the tone of the day's biggest news story and subsequent pick-up by newspapers and TV and radio.
Sometimes this
access can be problematic particularly when it involves
Willie Brown who is a frequent mention in Matier and Ross' column and appears regularly every Friday morning with Matier on
KCBS and
KPIX too. Then again,
stories like this tend to lend credence to the notion that Brown tries diligently not to appear overly cozy with SF's
Woodward and Bernstein. Skeptics wonder what would happen if Brown were to become the target of an investigation, how would Matier and Ross cover it, or would they? Of course they would.
*Whoever is responsible for the PR over at
KGO-TV must be asleep at the wheel or severely incapable of doing their job. The ABC O and O station at
900 Front continues not to even acknowledge the situation affecting one of its longest-tenured reporters,
Heather Ishimaru, who recently
suffered a stroke and is unable to speak. Presumably, KGO is sensitive to possible
pending litigation involving Ishimaru and management. That's understandable but saying nothing is both insulting and insensitive, not only to its viewers but employees too.
We hope this policy might be altered soon.
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