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:
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
I am able to do this job to the extent that I can believe that the people in charge are able, when faced with difficult decisions, to back up their stated commitments to transparency, fearlessness, and editorial independence. In the wake of Friday’s decision and Tommy’s resignation I can no longer sustain that belief. I find myself forced to resign, effective immediately.This was not an easy decision. I hope the partnership group recognizes the degree to which it has betrayed the trust of editorial, and takes steps to materially reinforce its independence. [Gawker]
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.
-
5 thin-skinned cartoons about shooting the messengerCartoons Artists take on unfavorable weather, a look in the mirror, and more
-
Is Trump's new peacemaking model working in DR Congo?Talking Point Truce brokered by the US president in June is holding, but foundations of a long-term peace have let to be laid
-
Crossword: August 10, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
