United States: Nonprofit News Organization Faces Turmoil as Top Journalists Are Abruptly Fired
Dismissals raise alarm about the organization's future and reflects a troubling trend of widespread dismissals in newsrooms across the country
Location: United States, Houston, Texas
Date: January 10, 2024
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom is deeply concerned about the abrupt dismissal of Houston Landing’s editor-in-chief Mizanur Rahman and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Alex Stuckey. This incident not only raises serious questions about the future direction and integrity of Houston Landing but also mirrors a troubling trend of unexpected and widespread dismissals in newsrooms across the United States, including the recent layoffs at the Texas Tribune. The firings of Mizanur Rahman and Alex Stuckey, coming without clear justification and amidst reports of Houston Landing's strong performance in digital metrics, are particularly alarming. It suggests a disregard for journalistic excellence and a potential undermining of editorial independence, possibly influenced by the interests of wealthy donors. The lack of transparency and the offer of severance pay contingent on a nondisparagement agreement to Stuckey further exacerbate these concerns. We stand in solidarity with Alex Stuckey, Mizanur Rahman, and all journalists who have been unjustly dismissed. We call on Houston Landing to provide a full and transparent explanation for their actions and to recommit to the principles of independent journalism. We also urge all media organizations to prioritize journalistic integrity over financial or political considerations and to treat their journalists with the respect and fairness they deserve.
Houston Landing — which made waves in the industry since its launch two years ago — has recently found itself embroiled in controversy following the sudden dismissal of Rahman and Stuckey by CEO Peter Bhatia.
With financial support from the American Journalism Project and Houston billionaires John Arnold and Richard Kinder, the Landing attracted top talent in the city's journalism scene. Led by editor-in-chief Mizanur Rahman and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Alex Stuckey, the newsroom produced impactful stories on issues such as deaths in Harris County jails and train delays in Houston's East End.
Bhatia, a veteran newspaper editor, was brought in by the Landing's board of directors to bring about change in the organization. According to Bhatia, the decision to dismiss the top journalists was made to ensure the Landing's effectiveness in the digital space. While the website has achieved impressive page views and unique visitors, Bhatia believes a comprehensive reset is necessary for future success. Stuckey and Rahman are not part of the reset plan.
Stuckey expressed her surprise at the firing, as she had received positive reviews and a pay raise just weeks prior. Stuckey was offered three months of severance pay on the condition that she signed a nondisparagement agreement. However, she refused the offer, expressing her belief in transparency. In a recorded conversation, she can be heard stating, "This is insanity, and I am absolutely not signing anything.”
The newsroom was also taken aback by the firings, with staff members showing solidarity with Rahman and Stuckey and expressing concerns about employee retention and fundraising efforts. They wrote a letter to the board of directors warning of “significant damage to employee retention and recruitment.”
“Their (Rahman and Stuckey) contributions to the newsroom have been instrumental to our success. Houston deserves a newsroom that includes them both,” the letter reads.
“Their (Rahman and Stuckey) contributions to the newsroom have been instrumental to our success. Houston deserves a newsroom that includes them both”
Some observers worry about the influence of billionaire patrons on nonprofit newsrooms like the Landing. Last year, other nonprofit newsrooms in Texas faced financial difficulties, raising concerns about the sustainability of such organizations.
The fallout from the firings may impact the Landing's finances, as the organization relies on its journalism to attract donors. Stuckey, in a recent email to donors, highlighted the impact of her investigations and the resulting actions taken by authorities.
Bhatia's vision for the Landing's reset includes utilizing different storytelling techniques, citing the New York Times' "Snow Fall" project as an example — a project which took 11 full-time NYT journalists to complete in at least six months.
Nationwide Layoffs
In recent years, newsrooms across the United States have been marred by a troubling trend of blindsided firings, leaving journalists shocked and uncertain about their futures. These dismissals often come without warning or clear justifications, raising concerns about the state of journalism and the treatment of those dedicated to reporting the truth.
On August 23, 2023, the Texas Tribune, a nonprofit news organization headquartered in Austin, Texas, made the decision to lay off a number of journalists, including Alexa Ura and Jolie McCullough, as well as Copy Chief Emily Goldstein, Copy Editor Beth Bond, and the entire copy desk. These layoffs were unprecedented, as it was the first time in the organization's 14-year history that such measures were taken.
Houston Landing and the Texas Tribune now join a growing list of media organizations hit by substantial layoffs. In a disheartening trend, 2023 witnessed the highest number of media layoffs ever recorded, surpassing an astonishing 17,000.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom firmly stands behind Alex Stuckey and Mizanur Rahman. We strongly condemn their sudden dismissal. Media layoffs have far-reaching consequences, causing job losses and unemployment that negatively impact journalists and their families. These layoffs also contribute to a decline in the quality of journalism and media content, as experienced and knowledgeable employees are let go. This, in turn, leads to a loss of diverse perspectives and a decrease in investigative reporting. In these challenging times for the media industry, it is more important than ever to support and defend the principles of free and independent journalism. We demand that Houston Landing acts transparently and assumes the necessary responsibility for their actions.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help women career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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