Washington Times
The Washington Times is a newspaper and web publisher, originally created as a conservative alternative to the Washington Post, and owned by the Unification Church. Newsmax.com has been its online partner, although the Times announced layoffs to, according to president and publisher Jonathan Slevin, to “... continue the Washington Times’ transformation into a 21st century media company and reinforces its mission to provide an independent, alternative voice in the nation’s capital. The company will expand the recently-launched theconservatives.com, subscription-based e-briefings and other new digital information.”
It will expand into radio, but diminish its print presence. Printed copies will be given to "important readers such as government officials", home delivery will be available at a "premium price", and single copies will still be sold by retailers and from dispensers. Staff told the New York Times that up to 40 percent of the staff would be cut. [1]
The paper had hired John Solomon, previously of the Washington Post, as executive editor in February 2008. He added respected reporters, and added two Post senior staffers, Jeff Birnbaum and Matthew Mosk, to The Times.[2]
Following the handing of Unification Church authority from Sung Myung Moon to his three sons, three executives, Thomas P. McDevitt (president and publisher), Keith Cooperrider (chief financial officer), and Dong Moon Joo (chairman) were fired on 9 November 2009[3] Executive Editor John Solomon reacted that he was considering resignation, [2] and then did so. The actual announcement of Solomon's resignation, dated 13 November 2009, said it was effective on the 6th, prior to the above firings.[4]
The former opinion editor, Richard Miniter, has claimed religious discrimination, and filed a formal complaint with the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission. He told the Associated Press that the "company president "coerced" him into attending a Unification Church event in 2008 that included a mass wedding. He says the company launched a background investigation into him earlier this year after he made a joke about the church to a co-worker."[5]
References
- ↑ Dan Weil (3 December 2009), "Washington Times Cuts Staff", Newsmax
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ben Frumin (9 November 2009), "Washington Times Executive Editor John Solomon Considering Options -- Including Resignation -- After Newsroom Shakeup", TPM
- ↑ Michael Calderone (9 November 2009), "Shake-up at WashTimes; three executives out", Politico
- ↑ Jennifer Harper (13 November 2009), "Solomon resigns as TWT editor", Washington Times
- ↑ Associated Press (18 November 2009), "Ex-Washington Times Editor Alleges Religious Bias: Former Washington Times opinion editor accuses paper of religious discrimination, harassment", ABC News