AP Bureau chief of Vermont - Ousted!

I know this man and he is as true as they come - a real journalist with integrity.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060321/NEWS/603210332/1004


Graff gone from Vt. AP

March 21, 2006

By Darren M. Allen Vermont Press Bureau

MONTPELIER — One of the most venerable and well-known bylines in Vermont journalism departed Monday with the ending of Christopher Graff's tenure as head of the state's Associated Press bureau.

The reasons for his sudden exit Monday were not released by Larry Laughlin, the chief of the AP's bureau in Concord, N.H., and Graff's boss.

<snip>

Graff, whose byline has appeared over some of the state's biggest stories in the past quarter-century, also did not comment on why he has left the bureau. Reached by telephone at his Elm Street home in Montpelier, Graff said that he was shocked and still digesting the news.

"I'm trying to figure it out myself," he said.

Considered one of the deans of the Vermont press corps, Graff had been with AP since 1978 and had been Vermont bureau chief since 1980. In his 25 years at the helm of one of the state's most influential news gathering operations, Graff interviewed and wrote about practically every person in any position of power in Vermont.

<snip>

John Mitchell, publisher of the Rutland Herald and the Barre-Montpelier Times Argus, also was caught by surprise Monday morning. Even though he is a member of the AP board of directors, Mitchell said he had no advance word about Graff's departure.

<and one last snippet>

....during the controversy surrounding Chittenden Superior Court Judge Edward Cashman and his sentencing of a child sexual offender.

Graff wrote a story based on the actual sentencing transcript that fueled the ire of Fox News talk show host Bill O'Reilly for several days.

OK - come on folks, Chris didn't know, the board of directors didn't know, only his 'boss' in NH seemed to know anything about it. This is a political dumping of THE most respected journalist in the state. The governor (an 'R') can't even figure out why (or condone it). This is truely a shame and now I hope he's goes national.

Graff has done a great job for a long time. I can't help but wonder who AP has lined up to replace him. That might tell us quite a bit. I hope Graff stays in the area and continues the fine work he been doing.

American journalism is getting to be worse than Pravda under Stalin, and apparently just as bloodthirsty. If you don't toe the corporate line, you're fired.

Corporate media covering for their corporate cronies and corporate controlled government:grr: