The Chicago Sun-Times Today Launches Series of Stories on Why Chicago's Streets Are So Violent

Business Wire, April 22, 2008

CHICAGO -- Chicago Sun-Times readers today saw their front page in a whole new way: the front page was flipped backward: the photos, the stories and the grim headline: "Our children are dying." The Sun-Times recognizes the rash of deaths of our young people by gun violence is so shocking, and today kicks off a series of stories that will look at the reasons behind the violence and push our community leaders for real, significant change that will save lives.

"Chicago's children are dying. The statistics are undeniable, and they are staggering," said Sun-Times Editor in Chief Michael Cooke. "The point of today's front page was to grab readers and agree together that we can no longer turn our backs on this problem. We need to, as a city, pull together and put an end to the killing. Oftentimes in this city, you will see well-intentioned, grief-stricken families and neighborhood leaders gather when a child is shot and killed; they make the news maybe for a day or two, and then many of us forget about what has happened and we go on about our business. We can no longer turn our backs on Chicago's children." The front page idea came from Bogota, Columbia's El Tiempo newspaper, which gave its front page a backward treatment to call its readers attention to gun violence.

The Sun-Times in the coming weeks will devote much time and effort, through an occasional, ongoing series of stories, into uncovering why Chicago children are being killed, and why the deaths don't seem to abate despite the stepped-up efforts of law enforcement, churches and neighborhood action groups. The newspaper, as well as www.suntimes.com, will carry full coverage on what's working, what must change to make our streets safer for our kids and will call upon our leaders to make the decisions necessary.

About the Chicago Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times is owned by Sun-Times Media Group (NYSE:SVN) dedicated to being the premier source of local news and information for the greater Chicago area. Its media properties include newspapers and Web sites serving more than 200 communities across Chicago. Further information can be found at www.thesuntimesgroup.com.

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