Commenting on a hot Tuesday in late June, the team at Atlanta magazine gathered for a tense meeting with publisher Sean McGinnis. The main topic of discussion? Pronouns. McGinnis questioned whether the magazine should start writing stories based on preferred pronouns, using a recent profile of a labor organizer as an example where “she” was referred to as “they” throughout the piece. One editor defended the use of pronouns corresponding to a subject’s identity as standard journalistic practice, while McGinnis argued that it could be perceived as taking a stance. This disagreement marked a turning point in a culture war that had been brewing within the magazine, leading to resignations and retirement.
Three out of six full-time editorial staff members have since resigned, citing corporate interference that they find untenable. The interference, they claim, stifles the progressive coverage they believe is necessary in a city like Atlanta, known for its diversity and progressiveness. The editor in chief has also announced plans to retire at the end of the year. The departing deputy editor, Sam Worley, emphasized the importance of editorial independence, stating that it is the foundation of trust between the magazine and its readers.
The concerns raised by the employees stem from their belief that McGinnis’ perception of Atlanta’s leftward shift is influenced by the owners of the publishing company that acquired Atlanta and other regional magazines. These owners allegedly hold the view that “woke” coverage is detrimental to business and want it to be curtailed. This belief has led to clashes over editorial decisions in the past, such as the inclusion of an image of Colin Kaepernick in a magazine spread about the Super Bowl.
Ironically, just a few years ago, the magazine faced criticism for its lack of representation of African American journalists on its staff. This criticism prompted the magazine to take action and create an advisory panel that engaged with members of non-White communities in the city. The conversations that took place led to a significant shift in the magazine’s coverage, with a focus on more diverse stories and voices.
Despite these efforts, tensions continued to rise with McGinnis expressing dissatisfaction with certain issues, even describing one as “too urban.” The disagreements between McGinnis and the editorial side became more pronounced after the magazine was sold to a new company, Hour Media. Under the new ownership, a new chain of command was established, reducing the independence of the editor in chief and increasing interference from the publisher.
As the magazine grapples with these challenges and changes, the underlying goal remains to tell the story of Atlanta and reflect the diverse and creative people who call it home. The magazine continues to strive for editorial independence and resist corporate interference, recognizing that it is crucial to maintain the trust of its readers.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
