Newhouse on Threat of Potential Star-Ledger Closure: 'We Do Not Bluff or Lie'

Is it a negotiation tactic, or real?

That's what Media Mob asked Advance publications president Donald Newhouse today regarding the memo that Star-Ledger publisher George Arwady sent out to staff saying that if a drivers union didn't agree to a new contract, the paper would be in danger of closing.

"That's what we've told our employees and we do not bluff or lie," he responded.

When asked again if it could be read as a negotiation tactic, he repeated, "We do not bluff or lie."

He said that if an agreement isn't reached with the drivers union by Oct. 8, the paper will go on the market and if a new buyer can't be found after New Year's, the paper would close on Jan. 5.