Business journalism’s big impact

Benjamin Marrison, the editor of the Columbus Dispatch, writes Sunday about how stories by business reporter Dan Gearino forced the Ohio public utilities commission to reverse a rate hike decision for an energy company.

Marrison writes, “Not long after the reversal, this email arrived from restaurateur Elizabeth Lessner:

“‘Dear Dan, Without your reporting, we never could have gotten to today’s PUCO decision. Small business thanks you and The Dispatch for helping our voices be heard and allowing us to survive in challenging times.’

“Numerous Statehouse sources called after the decision, both to applaud Gearino’s precision reporting and to question a statement attributed to the head of the PUCO, Dan Snichtler.

“Did Snichtler really say that he was unaware of concerns expressed by his staff that the proposed rate hike would shock the pocketbooks of small businesses? How could that be, they asked? It made no sense, they said, given that his staff sent emails warning the PUCO of the likely consequences — concerns published on Page One of The Dispatch on Dec. 4.”

Read more here.