Still working for the idiot publisher...

As the topic title says, still working for the idiot publisher. And... He had my writers do so many anti-LGBT articles the readership is down to nearly nothing.

Now realizing what he's done, he comes to me yesterday and hands me an editor's note he wants me to post. I didn't write it so why's it being called an "Editor's Note?" Does he really think I'm putting my name on his crap writing and BS? Nope, nopety, nope, nope, nope.

Anyway, he says things in it like, "There is no favoritism, bias or spin" and "XXX is the only news organization that has covered in-depth the sexual orientation ordinance..." As in, you had us write so many articles conveying your biased, racist, and homophobic views no one wants to read us anymore! Too little, too late, a$$ hat.

I'm looking hard for another job but it's not like there are tons of jobs out there for what I do. Sucks to be me, right now.

 

Is he allowing you to say "Publisher's Note"?

 

Empathize with your situation. But if you leave too many clues out here like this, you may have more time to look hard for that next job than you expected.

 

Yeah, just make it a Publisher's Note. He's the one who is writing it.

 

Can't like this reply enough. I know it's a rough position, and it can feel good to vent. And he may never, ever have reason to visit sj.com.

But still. Please be careful.

 

Yep. Took me about a minute to find out the paper being referenced. Please be careful!

 

He would never come here. He lives in a world entirely different than the rest of us and he's really not a journalist, even if he thinks he is because he worked on his high school paper.

I feel the worst for the reporter under me who was forced to write articles that violated both his ethics and his beliefs. I fought hard to prevent it to no avail and now his name's being drug through the mud. I have no. Idea what to do to help him with this.

 

Not sure I buy all the complaints here. At least not entirely.

That said, this thread raises an interesting question:

Having been given a set of corrupt instructions from the boss, at what point do you quit?

If an editor or publisher tells you to fabricate a scene or pipe some dialogue or violate your "ethics and beliefs," why not just walk out the door?

 

If the reporter is forced to write shit that violates his ethics and beliefs, go with a "Staff Report" byline.

Not much solace there, but at least he can do that.

 

I'd also think about it from a prospective employer's perspective. If you are in line for another job, and it is that easy to figure out who you are from this thread, could that lead a hiring manager or publisher at the new spot to wonder how long it will take you to disagree with them and go nuclear on a message board about it?

I'm not saying you're wrong, just that there are many different levels where discretion may be the better play.

 

If my name is on the article, and they try to pull that shit, adios.

I’ll go mop floors over that.

 

He may not come here, but you really can't trust everyone on this board. Perhaps there is someone who sees it, agrees with the publisher and seeks him out sending along a link. People have done worse here.