Newspapers

This evening, Jonathan Slevin, TWT's acting publisher addressed staff via memo about accusations of discrimination, an EEOC complaint filed by Richard Miniter and rumors about the pub in the "blogosphere."

In the memo, Slevin requests of his staff, "that during this time of transition you read certain newspaper and blog reports about this organization with a discerning eye."

If I may be so bold...I'd like to suggest that TWT begins communicating with their staff and the journalists that cover their organization less than two business days after scandalous stories about the paper hit the Web. I mean, really?

Memo obtained by FishbowlDC after the jump.

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Nicholas Benton of Benton Communications tells the WBJ that he had a deal to acquire the Washington Blade prior to the paper closing its doors yesterday.

Benton, owner of the Falls Church News-Press says he won a bid in September to obtain the assets of the Washington Blade from Window Media LLC and had planned to continue its publication until the rag shut down without any advance notice.

WBJ has more on the mysteriously botched buy.

D.C.-based Window Media LLC, the nation's largest gay and lesbian newspaper publisher is closing its operation. Window Media publishes the Washington Blade, South Florida Blade & 411 Magazine, Genre Magazine and Southern Voice.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that Southern Voice employees arrived this morning to locked doors and sign that reads:

"It is with great regret that we must inform you that effective immediately, the operations of Window Media LLC and Unite Media LLC have closed down."

FishbowlDC sources confirm that the Washington Blade is included in the Window Media shut-down and that the paper will cease publication. The Blade celebrated its 40th anniversary last month.

UPDATE:

@WashingtonBlade tweets:

Washington Blade, like all Window Media publications, is closing today. Thank you for your support. (Keep following us for developments.)

TWT's weekly "Purple Nation" opinion columnist Lanny Davis informed editors today that he is out since John Solomon has resigned as the executive editor of the paper. TPM had the scoop.

From Davis' email: "In light of the announcement of John Solomon's resignation, I am no longer comfortable writing a column for the Washington Times. I began writing because John asked me to. And now with him gone, I cannot continue."

While some members of TWT were concerned that the paper may not make payroll, FishbowlDC is told that employees were paid on schedule today. However, Times VP of HR Sonya Jenkins sent a memo this afternoon informing employees that "effective November 13, 2009 (today), the matching contributions under The Washington Times 401(k) Savings Plan and Supplemental Survivor & Retirement Plan (SSRS) will be suspended."

Jenkins said in her memo, "we regret having to take this action but believe it is the prudent thing to do in light of current economic and industry conditions."

Memo obtained by FishbowlDC after the jump.

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Following the resignation of Washington Times Executive Editor John Solomon this evening, TWT Managing Editor David Jones addressed his staff via the below memo. Jones says that the newsroom will carry on "business as usual" but sources tell FishbowlDC that Times staff is expressing panic and fearing the worst.

One senior member of the newsroom suggested that it was time to look for a new job while a younger reporter told us, "we're in trouble without John. Solomon had the vision, heart and had begun to make the Times a real force in Washington news media."

Memo obtained by FishbowlDC:

From: David Jones

Date: November 12, 2009 6:47:30 PM EST

Subject: re john solomon

For those who were not in the newsroom for our impromptu meeting a few minutes ago, let me just say that we have been assured by Jonathan Slevin that despite the resignation of John Solomon, the company remains as committed as ever to keeping The Washington Times going as a robust multi-media company. He noted the huge strides we have all made over the past two years and asked Jeff Birnbaum and me to carry on "business as usual" while the new management carries out its review of all our operations. Slevin also expressed his respect and appreciation to the newsroom for your efforts of the past week, in which you all have continued to put out a first-rate product in a very difficult time.

TPM reported first and FBDC confirms that TWT has announced the resignation of executive editor John Solomon, effective six days ago.

Spotted last night: Two boxes of Moon books abandoned next to a TWT newspaper box at a 7th & M St. bus stop.

It's day three since the executive shakeup at TWT and things seem to be getting progressively more complicated and odd. Executive Editor John Solomon is still not back to work but an informed source inside the newsroom tells FishbowlDC that "Solomon is expected to return by next week."

Speculation regarding what triggered the firings of three top execs over the weekend points to a Moon family feud (TPM has more). One source familiar with the conflict told FishbowlDC that the firings were actually a "compromise" when Rev. Moon intervened after finding out that his son, Preston aka Hyun Jin Moon threatened to shut the paper down late last week.

According to Politico's Michael Calderone, since the drama began unfolding over the weekend, security measures at the paper have been seriously amplified and TPM claims that armed guards have been spotted inside the building. In a memo today, David Jones, TWT's managing editor announced that management was shutting down one full parking lot.

Memo obtained by FishbowlDC after the jump.

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WaPo's 5th floor newsroom is under construction but taking shape - you can already see the universal news desk in the background. Construction is expected to wrap before year's end.

Another heaping helping of the piping hot casserole of crazy coming out of The Washington Times this morning: After a press release and a memo about the press release were issued in reference to TWT's major management overhaul, an email was finally sent to staff, inviting them to freak out meet in the ballroom at 11:30 for a meeting to discuss moving forward in a financially responsible manner.

Amazing.

Memo after the jump.

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