News and views from inside the media bubble
Exit Helen Thomas
Count News & Record Editorial Page Editor Allen Johnson as being among those sanctioning and censuring syndicated newspaper columnist Helen Thomas over her remarks that Israeli Jews should go back to Poland and Germany. After explaining that Thomas’ Sunday column about Social Security went to press before but ran after her controversial remarks, Johnson responded on Monday to a reader by saying that the paper would not be publishing Thomas again, “not for at least a good while.” As it happened, the columnist resigned effective immediately the same day. Thomas’ remarks drew rebuke from everybody from President Obama to the White House Correspondents Association. Despite her tarnished reputation, she concludes her journalism career that remains legendary considering her milestone as the first female president of the aforementioned White House Correspondents’ Association and an interlocutor who made presidents squirm, from Kennedy to Obama. — JG
