Earlier, we reported on the controversial firing of Victoria News editor Keith Norbury. And now, Public Eye has learned Black Press Ltd. - which owns the newspaper - is looking for a Greater Victoria editorial director. This, according to an internal job posting distributed yesterday. Brian Lepine is presently the company's Vancouver Island editorial director. Publisher Penny Sakamoto hasn't yet responded to an email requesting comment nor has Mr. Lepine returned repeated calls from Public Eye.
Meanwhile, among the ranks of the fallen
August 21, 2007
As indicated on A-Channel news and the CBC, Black Press is spinning this sad story as a "personnel matter" even though Sean Holman's initial report had VI News Group president Mark Warner saying the advertiser complaint was part of the reason behind Keith Norbury's firing. I guess they are waiting for this to blow over. Black Press's credibility, in my opinion, has sunk to new lows...
Under Keith Norbury's watch in 2006, the Canadian Community Newspapers Association Better Newspaper Competition awarded the Victoria News "Best all around Newspaper" "Best Editorial Page" "Best Coverage of the Arts" and "Best Special Section." The Weekend Edition paper (which Norbury edited) was awarded "Best Editorial Page" and "Best Front Page." Vic News racked up a Newspaper Excellence Award for the 2007 BC Ma Murray Awards.
Norbury had 21 years in as a journalist and editor for Black Press. And they seem to be questioning his editorial judgement?
Perhaps they should just appoint Dave Wheaton as both editor and editorial director. He'd be the ideal person for making sure that absolutely nothing appears in the paper that conflicts with his interests. What a mess to result from such a minor story. Couldn't he just have written a letter to the editor?
Its shocking to me how easily the press (especialy the community papers) are willing to roll over on this one. If Journalists stood up to this sort of crap then it wouldn't happen anymore. Period.