Journalists Quit in Protest of Newspapers' Policies

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Catholic owner bans positive coverage of gays, abortion rights

When Catholic tycoon David Weyrich decided to start community newspapers serving five California communities, he chose the motto "hometown journalism at its best."

Now his editorial policy banning positive news about gays and pro-choice organizations has stirred up a hornet's nest of controversy in this otherwise laid-back college town and its surrounding communities, where the weekly Gazettes have appeared in the mailboxes of 126,000 residents.

Fourteen writers and editors have resigned from Gazette papers to protest the ban on positive news about gays and pro-choice groups, as well as Weyrich's initial refusal to acknowledge the policy in print. The San Luis Obispo City Council has withdrawn its ads from the papers, while journalism experts have labeled the policy unethical.

Weyrich, who was unavailable for comment, has vowed not to rescind the policy.

A major real estate developer, Weyrich is also an investor in Catholic Family Radio, a multi-million dollar enterprise with plans to establish a presence …