Media

Deborah Kolben Out at Voice; 11th Woman to Leave Since March (UPDATE)


Village Voice editor Tony Ortega has fired his number two, managing editor Deborah Kolben. Ms. Kolben, who started at the Voice last February mere days before then-editor David Blum was fired, is the eleventh woman to leave the newspaper since Mr. Ortega took over in March.

Here's the full list:

Deanna Martin, deputy copy chief (quit Tuesday)
Tricia Romano, reporter (reported to have quit last Friday; sources tell The Observer she was fired)
Keisha Franklin, associate listings editor (quit late last week)
Adamma Ince, deputy managing editor (quit last Thursday)
Maggie Shnayerson, spokeswoman (quit Sept. 12)
Laura Conaway, executive director (fired in August)
Mara Altman, reporter (fired in June)
Kristen Lombardi, reporter (fired in May)
Keach Hagey, media reporter (fired in May)
Emma Span, sports columnist (fired in March)

Ms. Kolben's departure leaves just one woman at the top of the masthead, film editor Allison Benedikt.

Other women still working at the Voice include reporters Lynn Yaeger, Chloé Hilliard, and Maria Luisa Tucker; photo editor Staci Schwartz; listings editors Angela Ashman, and Elisabeth Thompson; web editors Nina Lalli and Camille Dodero; and Mr. Ortega's assistant, Lori Payne.

UPDATE: Sources say associate listings editor Keisha Franklin gave notice last week, right after Ms. Ince did.

  • del.icio.us
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Newsvine
  • Google
  • Yahoo
  • Technorati
  • Facebook
  • Stumble Upon
  • Netvibes
  • Windows Live

Comments
Post a comment

No comment from Ortega or the newspaper. Not a word from any of the allegedly fired or departed women. This is what we call in the trade: bullshit, irresponsible journalism. Leon, you should be ashamed.

Chuck Strouse
Editor
Miami New Times

BKThorp (not verified) says:

Hmmm. Mr. Ortega hired, not fired, quite a few women at his last paper, The New Times BPB--so much so that, when he left, there was only one male staff writer on board. Dear god! Does that mean he hates MEN, too? Whatta bastard!

- Brandon K. Thorp
Theater Critic
New Times, BPB

Lohness (not verified) says:

Respect you!
handbags and accessories by Kathy here
http://handbagskathy.iespana.es

Vanessa (not verified) says:

Respect you!
handbags and accessories by Kathy here
http://handbagskathy.iespana.es

Leon's Mom (not verified) says:

And how many African-Americans are on the editorial staff at the NYO? Non–Ivy Leaguers?
I thought I raised you better than that, Leon!!
(PS: Are you still working for free? Can't Jared at least buy you lunch?)

Post a comment

The content of this field is kept private
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd><br> <p> <i> <b> <embed> <img> <blockquote> <span> <strikethrough> <u>
  • Use <!--pagebreak--> to create page breaks.

More information about formatting options

By checking this box you are giving permission for Observer staff to contact you to obtain contact information and permissions required for publication.