Clifton becomes a Plain Dealer

By: Joe Strupp The Plain Dealer in Cleveland has hired Miami Herald executive editor Douglas Clifton as its new newsroom boss, replacing former Plain Dealer editor David Hall, who resigned two months ago after seven years at the helm.
Clifton's hiring follows speculation that Hall left the paper because of differences with Plain Dealer publisher Alex Machaskee that reached a head in a disagreement over City Hall coverage. Newsroom sources say Machaskee criticized Hall following a run-in the editor had with Cleveland Mayor Michael White, a Machaskee friend, over limited reporter access to city government information.
Hall left without future plans but had been eyeing a post with the University of Minnesota. He could not be reached for comment last week because he is out of the country.
Clifton, 55, has served in his current position in Miami for eight years. Among the newspaper's accomplishments during his tenure was the recent Pulitzer Prize for an in-depth investigation into local voter fraud.
Clifton says he is looking forward to taking over a new post and leaves with no ill feelings for the Herald.
"I'm honored to have a hand in shaping the Plain Dealer's next era of excellence and to work with professionals like Alex Machaskee, who believe so deeply in the newspaper and the city," Clifton says. "After working at the Herald, a paper I love dearly, I found the lure of a new journalistic challenge irresistible."
Clifton's employment at the Herald dates back nearly 30 years. He has been a general assignment and investigative reporter and held several editing positions. He also served stints in the Knight Ridder Washington, D.C., bureau and as managing editor of The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer.
"Doug Clifton has the reputation of being one of the best editors in the country today, and his record speaks for itself," says Machaskee.
Clifton's switch comes as both The Miami Herald and The Plain Dealer have suffered small circulation declines. The Plain Dealer currently has a slightly higher daily circulation, with 394,740 readers compared to the Herald's 340,787.

AP Photo/J. Pat Carter

?(Editor & Publisher Web Site:http:www.mediainfo.com) [Caption]
?(copyright: Editor & Publisher May 8, 1999) [Caption]