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KSL, one of the last local television stations in America to do on-air editorials, is ceasing the practice. And, as a consequence, longtime newsman Con Psarras will no longer be a fulltime employee at the station.
In a memo to employees, Mark Willes, president and CEO of Deseret Management Corp., announced, "While it is important for KSL to have a vehicle to express editorial opinions, I have concluded that these opinions are most effective when there are clear issues of great importance to the community which KSL needs to address. Therefore, we will no longer produce regular weekly editorials."
As a consequence, Deseret Management is eliminating the position of vice president for editorials and special projects, which Psarras has held since January.
Psarras referred questions to Willes, who was unavailable.
It's the end of an era at KSL, which has broadcast weekly editorials for nearly half a century. Beginning in October 1962, the messages were delivered by station presidents or general managers. Don Gale began writing the editorials in 1977 and delivering them on-air in 1978. Gale retired in 1998, and KSL reporter Duane Cardall took over until his retirement in December.
Psarras has been a journalist and news executive at three local stations — KUTV, KTVX and KSL, where he has spent a total of 22 years. He was Channel 5's news director and later vice president and managing director of KSL News, overseeing operations at Channel 5 and Bonneville International's Salt Lake radio stations.
Psarras will continue to work for KSL as an independent contractor, assisting on special projects and occasional editorials, according to Willes.