Gawker might change its name, become '20 percent nicer'

Is a declawing in store for Gawker Media? Following the publication and retraction of a controversial post and the ensuing upheaval — which led to the resignation of Executive Editor Tommy Craggs and Gawker Editor-in-Chief Max Read — Gawker Media CEO Nick Denton told employees yesterday that Gawker needs to be "20 percent nicer," or at least "10 to 15 percent nicer." Denton is also said to be considering changing the website's name during its rebranding. The new website is to launch online on Monday, according to Capital New York.

Denton is also reportedly offering the Gawker staff full severance pay if they are unhappy with the new direction and want to quit. His ideal editor, Denton said, would be Ta-Nehisi Coates, a senior correspondent for The Atlantic and bestselling author. The times, they sure are a-changin'!

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

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.

Sign up