Top Gawker editors resign following removal of controversial post

Gawker Media Executive Editor Tommy Craggs and Gawker Editor-in-Chief Max Read are stepping down from their posts at the company, stating that they can no longer guarantee Gawker's editorial integrity after the company's management — not editorial — removed a controversial post on Friday.

The post, which reported that Condé Nast CFO David Geithner had allegedly attempted to rendezvous with a gay porn star for a night in a hotel, was widely criticized for needlessly outing Geithner for a scoop that appeared to be outside the interests of the public. Craggs and Read said its removal irreparably broke down the "firewall" between Gawker's editorial department and the business side.

Craggs and Read both posted memos detailing their decisions to leave the company. From Read's:

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Nick Denton, founder and head of Gawker Media, responded that the post in question was "an unprecedented misuse of the independence given to editorial." It is not yet clear who will fill the positions Craggs and Read have surrendered.