E&P: Top VT Officials Send Protest Letter to AP about Fired Bureau Chief

(NOTE: Vermont Governor Douglas is a Republican.)

Top Vermont Officials Send Protest Letter to AP About Fired Bureau Chief
By E&P Staff
Published: March 24, 2006
NEW YORK

Vermont’s two U.S. Senators and congressman, and the state's governor, have sent a letter to Associated Press CEO Tom Curley, asking that he explain why long-time journalist Christopher Graff was fired on Monday, and that he be reinstated to his post.

Graff, 52, has covered state politics for three decades, hosted a TV show, and served most recently as chief of the AP bureau in Montpelier. He has declined requests by E&P and other media outlets to talk about reasons for his departure, citing legal issues, and reportedly has hired a lawyer.

Speculation has centered on Graff's decision to run a "Sunshine Week" opinion piece by one of the state's U.S. senators, Patrick Leahy, a leading Democrat.

The Vermont Guardian web site published what it said was the text of the letter to Curley signed by Leahy, Sen. Jim Jeffords, Rep. Bernie Sanders, and Gov. Jim Douglas (see below), in which they said they were "outraged" by what had transpired.

The Guardian also observed: "Editors at several Vermont papers, who are members of AP, say that an op-ed piece penned by Leahy on the AP news wire was recalled earlier this month after it was sent out to papers by the Vermont bureau as part of its editorial package focusing on Sunshine Week. Sunshine Week is a time when the news media focuses on issues related to the public’s right to know and open government."...

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002236180

will have to spend more time with his family....

Especially the governor - it'll cost him politically.

many items related to 'Sunshine Week' make it into the media.

I hope there is some real public blowback to this firing, if indeed it is tied to 'Sunshine Week.'

Sen. Leahy. He has been a real thorn in their sides, regarding Abu Ghraib amongst other things.

Maybe sending letters and emails, phone calls etc. would let them know that people across the country are interested in this. He really should sue them, if he isn't reinstated right away.

Associated Press.

Thank you for this idea. I've posted the article, and contact info in a separate post in the GD forum.

thing, imo. Otherwise it will happen again and again ~