Las Vegas Publisher and Editor Who Sued Bloggers is Out of a Job
Suing Bloggers May Have Contributed to Publisher and Editor Getting Tossed Out
Sherman Frederick, the once powerful publisher of the Las Vegas Review Journal daily newspaper and his sidekick editor Thomas Mitchell have found themselves out of a job. The two powerful positions thought to be invincible found out last week they were anything but invincible. The statement from the newspaper was just as non-committal as possible.
The shakeup in the top ranks of the paper were attributed to "going in a different business direction." However, informed sources said the firing and demotions came as a surprise with no advance warnings. Reporters in the newsroom busy scouring sources for news leads didn't even see it coming. Frederick, who was also CEO of Stephens Media Group, the owner of the Las Vegas Review Journal, was dismissed from that position.
One of the major controversies surrounding the newspaper was its participation in suing independent bloggers around the country for copyright infringement of stories printed in the paper. Bloggers, from moms at home writing about kids to political bloggers found themselves sued by the papers attack dog law firm, Righthaven. Righthaven would scour blogs to find any information that was taken from the pages of the newspaper. If content was found, however innocent, Righthaven would contact the newspaper and but the copyright for that particular article, then file a lawsuit demanding money. The law firm filed at least 166 law suits since March.
Needless to say, bloggers nationwide were outraged. The Las Vegas Review Journal and Righthaven received avalanches of complaints but Frederick defended the practice. Now it turns out the pressure from the writing community may have been heard by the owners of the newspaper. Stephens Media was making much money, if any, from the lawsuits although the law firm was earning quite a bit in legal fees.
Frederick will now be a lowly columnist, while Mitchell will be an opinion editor. General manager Allan Fleming was unceremoniously just let go. Bob Brown the newspapers advertising director was named as the new publisher. An editor has not yet been named. As for the legal firm Righthaven of Las Vegas, the CEO says the firings will not affect its operations. However, when high ranking entrenched management officials are suddenly canned, the unpopular practice of suing bloggers may have come to an end.
The shakeup in the top ranks of the paper were attributed to "going in a different business direction." However, informed sources said the firing and demotions came as a surprise with no advance warnings. Reporters in the newsroom busy scouring sources for news leads didn't even see it coming. Frederick, who was also CEO of Stephens Media Group, the owner of the Las Vegas Review Journal, was dismissed from that position.
One of the major controversies surrounding the newspaper was its participation in suing independent bloggers around the country for copyright infringement of stories printed in the paper. Bloggers, from moms at home writing about kids to political bloggers found themselves sued by the papers attack dog law firm, Righthaven. Righthaven would scour blogs to find any information that was taken from the pages of the newspaper. If content was found, however innocent, Righthaven would contact the newspaper and but the copyright for that particular article, then file a lawsuit demanding money. The law firm filed at least 166 law suits since March.
Needless to say, bloggers nationwide were outraged. The Las Vegas Review Journal and Righthaven received avalanches of complaints but Frederick defended the practice. Now it turns out the pressure from the writing community may have been heard by the owners of the newspaper. Stephens Media was making much money, if any, from the lawsuits although the law firm was earning quite a bit in legal fees.
Frederick will now be a lowly columnist, while Mitchell will be an opinion editor. General manager Allan Fleming was unceremoniously just let go. Bob Brown the newspapers advertising director was named as the new publisher. An editor has not yet been named. As for the legal firm Righthaven of Las Vegas, the CEO says the firings will not affect its operations. However, when high ranking entrenched management officials are suddenly canned, the unpopular practice of suing bloggers may have come to an end.
Published by McCarvel
5 Comments
Post a CommentDoes anyone know if Stephens Media plans on going forward and working with Righthaven
It only took 30 or 40 lawsuits for Stephens Media to wake up to what was going on. Righthaven was and Is the only winner in these cases.
It couldn't have happened to two nicer guys! Now if they would stop Righthaven from attacking small time website and extorting money from them all would be well. How can a small time blogger say from Tennessee afford to have a attorney represent him or her in Nevada. THEY CAN'T so they have to settle.
If you want your news agency to be taken serious and credible I would dump Righthaven.
The RJ has been a fossilized right-wing rag for the longest time. This year found it supporting wingnut Sharron Angle while simultaneously suing her for copyright infringement. Perhaps now she will use her "juice" to help Messrs. Fredrick, Mitchell and Fleming in their job search. Or perhaps bluetool Gibson will let them answer the phones over at Righthaven. HAHA!!
You see, when you're nasty to people, they'll return the favour!
No sympathy from me, in fact, let's all cheer.
Ape