Via Huckleberries Online and the new North Idaho blog IdahoRocks comes word that the Hagadone Corporation fired Bonners Ferry Herald editor Robert James for endorsing Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brady in a personal opinion column. HBO's Dave says getting out of the Hagadone noose might be the best thing that will ever happen to the guy, while IdahoRocks shares more info that suggests the Hagadone chain has a serious problem with two-party government, so much so that it'll make up stuff about Democrats just to be sure they don't get elected. Editor & Publisher, are you listening?
Actually, I have a better idea. Columbia Journalism Review, if it's still around, had a Cheers and Jeers column that posted items like that.
Posted by: sharon fisher | November 24, 2006 at 09:20 AM
This is an ABSOLUTE fabrication. I am an insider who knows what happened...I can't get into the specifics because if I said what happened, even if it's true, he could sue me. But Mr. James's firing was justified. And he WAS NOT FIRED FOR WHAT HE SAYS HE WAS. What he did to get himself fired he ought to be ashamed of. The man has some nerve to make that up.
Don't bother with CJR.
Posted by: Mary Lou | December 01, 2006 at 12:23 PM
Hey, Mary Lou -- it's Robert James writing. Yep, I'll use my real name. What did I do, oh anonymous tipster? If I can sue you for what you say, then get this, lady...IT'S NOT TRUE. You see, truth is an absolute defense to libel or slander accusations.
Anyway, I am proud to have been the editor of the BFH. Obviously, Mary Lou has issues.
Posted by: Robert | December 05, 2006 at 08:40 PM