Business journalists told editorial freedom remains

MANAGING Director of Thomas Crosbie Holdings, Anthony Dinan, met journalists at the Sunday Business Post yesterday to dispel any fears about the future editorial freedom of the paper, following last week’s surprise resignation of editor Ted Harding.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Dinan said he had sought to reassure staff “there was no question of interference in the editorial independence of the paper”.

TCH had not interfered in this area and that situation would continue under the new editor, Mr Dinan said.

Asked if he was satisfied concerns had been fully met, Mr Dinan said “I would hope that they have been. But we will meet again because there are a couple of things I have to get back to them on.”

During the 90-minute meeting Mr Dinan agreed to consider the possibility of an outside journalist being placed on the interview panel dealing with the appointment of a new editor to the paper.

The National Union of Journalists in the Business Post said it had no formal comment to make about yesterday’s meeting.

TCH bought the paper two years ago for €10 million.

Press advertisements for a replacement editor have already appeared and Mr Dinan said strong outside interest has already been shown in the position.

Sunday Business Post journalists requested yesterday’s meeting last week, after hearing the editor had resigned. A major concern for journalists at the paper was editorial freedom, a fact referred to in the SBP’s own coverage of Mr Harding’s departure.