MediaBuyerPlanner: The Village Voice, after firing editor in chief David Blum on Friday, named its fifth new editor in chief in the space of little more than a year.
The new editor in chief, Tony Ortega, was the editor of The Broward-Palm Beach New Times, an alternative weekly, writes The New York Times. He will take over the position this week.
Ortega has received several journalism awards, such as the Virg Hill Award, a Los Angeles Press Club award, and the 2005 Association of Alternative Newsweeklies award for best column. Ortega believes his biggest challenge will be getting to know New York again, as he has not lived in the city in more than 20 years.
An issue of diversity was raised at what The Times calls “a contentious staff meeting” on Wednesday. A Village Voice spokeswoman says that the diversity issue was not the only reason Blum was fired. Blum was hired as editor in chief in September.
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- ‘Village Voice’ Dropping Editors Left and Right
- ‘Village Voice’ Publisher Out
- Village Voice Media Expected to Merge with New Times
