Public Eye has reported at length on the Vivian Smith affair. As early as this morning, the Times Colonist declined to discuss why Ms. Smith, a columnist and writing coach at the broadsheet, had her contract cut short. But, within the last hour, publisher Bob McKenzie sent out an email to staffers writing that "the recent decision to place Vivian Smith's column on hiatus was an error in judgment for which I apologize." The email notes "there have been a number of rumours circulating about the relationship between the Times Colonist and its advertising clients. I would like to underscore our policy on this matter: we do not allow advertisers to influence the content of this newspaper. I value the editorial integrity of the paper and the important role it allows us to play in the community." The following is a complete copy of that message.

From: Bob McKenzie
Date: July 24, 2006 10:20:05 AM PDT
Subject: Publisher's Statement

To all staff:

There have been a number of rumours circulating about the relationship between the Times Colonist and its advertising clients. I would like to underscore our policy on this matter: we do not allow advertisers to influence the content of this newspaper. I value the editorial integrity of the paper and the important role it allows us to play in the community. The recent decision to place Vivian Smith's column on hiatus was an error in judgment for which I apologize.

Bob McKenzie
Publisher