Osage chief says tribal paper now independent

By Clifton Adcock
Tulsa World, Okla.
(MCT)

PAWHUKSA, Okla — Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray issued an executive order last week declaring the tribal newspaper's independence from the tribal government.

Though the newspaper, The Osage News, will still be funded by the tribe, the order states that tribal officials will "refrain from interfering with the critical reporting of all issues of relevance to the Osage people," and that the paper "shall be independent from any undue influence of the Osage Nation Executive Branch and free of any particular political interest."

Last year, the newspaper nearly had its funding withdrawn by the tribal congress after it printed a story that was critical of some members. Some in the congress said that Gray controlled the newspaper's content and the move to cut funding was an attempt to force the chief to enact a piece of legislation they said would make the newspaper independent.

The funding was restored, however, when the measure came before the full tribal congress, and the newspaper has continued to print since then.

Gray's executive order also establishes an editorial council, whose membership eligibility includes being more than 25 years old with no felony record, having a demonstrable professional credential for at least five years and not being an employee or elected official of the tribe. Council members must swear an oath to uphold the accepted ethics of professional journalism.

''I really think this finally sets us on the right path to giving our people reliable and intelligent

reporting of information and views that will make our people better able to participate in our government as citizens," Gray said. "I am looking forward to our free press providing reliable and intelligent reporting that will stimulate the free flow of ideas and information amongst our Osage citizenry."

Within three to six months, the newspaper should be moved out of the tribal complex and into downtown Pawhuska, said Interim editor Shannon Shaw, and a measure making the newspaper a nonprofit organization may come up during the next congressional session. The newspaper's Web site, www.osagenews.org, should also be up and running soon, she said.

''We feel the Osage citizens deserve a free press and the free flow of news and information," Shaw said. "We're free now."