Tom Griscom, executive editor and publisher of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, today announced he will resign effective June 30.
In making the announcement, Mr. Griscom said, “The opportunity to build the merged newspaper in this community has been a unique experience. In a changing media world, it has been gratifying that our readers continue to enjoy the printed newspapers as we expand into other digital formats.”
Walter Hussman, president and CEO of WEHCO Media Inc., the parent of the Times Free Press, said, “I am pleased with the progress that has been made in Chattanooga. I appreciate the nearly 11 years that Tom has led the newsroom here. He has done an outstanding job, and we hope to find another editor as capable and competent.”
Tom Griscom is a hometown boy done good, and his stewardship of the Times Free Press will be sorely missed. He is a forward thinker who has modeled his newsroom to adapt to the constant changes in news delivery and media culture. With so many papers in bankruptcy, if they survive at all, the TFP is making it.
Two things stand out to me during Tom’s tenure at the paper. The TFP sets the standard for statewide political reporting, but much more important is the fortitude he demonstrated under fire. When a TFP reporter embedded with the 278th ACR in Iraq reported on the lack of armor on Humvees, it set off a series of events that made the Pentagon scramble for cover. Many people may have buckled under the heat but the story was right on target, forced the DoD to ramp up vehicle retrofits, and saved American lives.
May you have the best of luck in your future endeavors, and thank you for all you have done for Chattanooga, Tennessee, and our entire nation.
Tom Griscom has overseen the destruction of what were once a great newspaper and a grip and grin newspaper. He has dismissed seasoned and veteran reporters with outstanding records in favor of interns and rookies. The newspaper is now a shallow magazine that has ceased to pursue the mission proclaimed by Adolph Ochs. Mr. Griscom's only responsibility for the TFP policital reporting was in his letting Andy Sher remain employed. A political hack, Mr. Griscom brought nothing to the newspaper but his own lack of journalistic experience. And it should be added that no one will miss Mr. Griscom's pointless and rambling Sunday column. May you have the best of luck in future endevours and may they never come anywhere close to being related to journalism again. Now that Newsweek is being sold by the Washington Post I can only pray that the owner pursue John Meacham as Mr. Griscom's replacement.
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