Inquirer Owners Continue Wrangling Over Who's In Charge At Paper
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Lawyers for rival owner factions at the Philadelphia Inquirer were making arguments today in a Philadelphia courtroom on what they say has been "editorial interference" by the ownership group.
When Bill Marimow took the top post as editor of the Inquirer in 2012, he says two key owners, Lewis Katz and George Norcross, who together make up the "management committee," said they would ensure his tenure there. Marimow testified today that it was clear to him that publisher Robert Hall was against his return to the paper and would be "perched on (his) shoulder."
Hall fired Marimow last month. Marimow says it happened when Marimow refused to remove, fire, or demote five key editors.
Marimow says if he returned, it would allieviate tension in the newsroom. That's a reference to the nasty boardroom bickering among owners Katz and Norcross and their rival factions in the court. One side wants Marimow reinstated and Hall removed. The other says Hall has the authority to fire emloyees, including Marimow.
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