It’s been a confusing day at the New Republic, with the venerable left-leaning opinion magazine’s top two editors out the door, staff reductions announced and rumors swirling of more resignations to come.
Franklin Foer and Leon Wieseltier, two journalism veterans, suddenly quit the magazine Thursday in what Politico described as a “major shakeup” at the publication that has been in circulation since its founding in 1914 as the leading voice of the progressive era.
Bloomberg Media’s Gabriel Snyder has been tapped to serve as the publication’s new editor. Snyder’s resume includes stints at the Atlantic and Gawker.
It was also revealed Thursday that the New Republic is packing its bags and moving from the nation’s capital to New York City.
The magazine’s staff is not taking the news very well, with one employee reportedly saying that more resignations are planned in response to the “shakeup.”
“The entire staff is up in arms,” a staffer said, according to Tablet. “I expect most of the senior editors to quit, the entire roster of contributing editors to resign.”
Foer confirmed in a memo that he decided that it was time for him to move on after he, owner Chris Hughes and chief executive Guy Vidra failed to find common ground on their visions for the magazine.
Vidra followed up with a memo of his own, detailing the resignations of Wieseltier and Foer, staff reductions and the announcement that the New Republic will be relocated to New York.
Hughes, who bought the company in 2012 when he was just 28 years old, is moving the publication away from print and transitioning it into “a digital media company.”
The reaction on social media to the news has been far from enthusiastic.
“This is sad,” author Dave Cullen said.
“This ends The New Republic and serious policy publications on the left. It’s all cat pics and listicles now,” conservative radio host and RedState editor Erick Erickson said.
Washington Post Wonkblog contributor Matt O’Brien simply wrote: “RIP.”
Hughes’ vision for the magazine, to see its relevancy restored in the nation’s capital, has so far failed to come to fruition.
The New Republic “failed to hire marquee names, struggled to attract advertisers and failed to gain a prominent place in the conversation,” Politico reported.
Hughes now hopes to move the magazine from its current, traditional model and turn it into a slicker, hipper online enterprise, something that Foer apparently was not willing to accept.
“I’ve always had a hard time imagining leaving here,” Foer wrote. “That moment, however, has arrived. Chris and Guy have significant plans for this place. And their plans and my own vision for TNR meaningfully diverge. I’ve decided this is the right time for me to finish a book that is several years overdue and to work on a few other projects. I will miss everyone here immensely.”
