By: Joe Strupp A Sacramento Newspaper Guild leader believes former Sacramento Bee Editor Rick Rodriguez left abruptly two weeks ago, at least in part, over a dispute related to control of non-news Web sites. His sudden exit has never been fully explained. Melanie Sill was named as his replacement this week.
Ed Fletcher, acting chairman of the guild and a seven-year Bee reporter, says talks with several staffers lead him to believe Rodriguez had wanted the newsroom to have more say in non-news Web activities, such as new sites related to motherhood, pets, and wine.
?Based on inquiries we made, we believe and understand that at least part of the problem was a debate over who would control online ventures that are not currently part of the news operation,? Fletcher told E&P. ?We believe that Rodriguez wanted some newsroom control over these ancillary products.?
Fletcher cited the new sacbemoms.com site, as well as others related to entertainment and various personal and leisure activities. ?If they are under our flag, what they say matters, especially a product like the wine Web site, which we created,? he added. ?I think reasonable minds could differ over whether such things could be viewed as advertorials or the newsroom should have some say.?
Rodriguez left the paper two weeks ago with little warning and has yet to speak at length about the reasons for the departure. E&P was unable to reach him Thursday.
Publisher Janis Heaphy has also declined to be more specific, but has said in the past that Rodriguez did not depart over budget or staffing cutbacks or any journalistic disagreement.
?Both Rick and I agreed not to discuss the reasons for his leaving,? Heaphy reiterated Thursday. ?I am not in a situation to talk to you about what went on.?
When asked about the guild theory related to Web control, Heaphy said, ?I can imagine there is speculation, but Rick and I agreed. It was not based on any disagreement related to expenses or staffing or quality of journalism.? But Heaphy would not elaborate further and did not specifically deny the Web site dispute.
Soon after Rodriguez?s departure was announced, the guild issued a request for more information from the Bee about the reasons for his departure. Fletcher said no response has ever been received.
Earlier this week, Heaphy announced that Melanie Sill of the News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., had been chosen to replace Rodriguez. She has been praised by both Heaphy and N&O officials for leading a strong Internet influence at her previous paper.
?She is a proven leader and has accomplished a lot,? Heaphy said of Sill. ?She has both vision and passion.? One change for Sill will be oversight of the editorial pages, a responsibility Rodriguez did not have.
Heaphy said Sill would not directly control the editorials, but would have the editorial page editor report to her in an effort to help market the product. ?I want a top editor to be responsible for all news content,? Heaphy explained. ?That way when we go to marketing it is a combined strategy ? that doesn?t mean we will ever cross the line between news and editorial pages.?
Fletcher said the guild is welcoming Sill with an optimistic view. ?We think we can work with her,? he stated. ?We look forward to future conversations.? As for Rodriguez, Fletcher said he ran in to the former editor recently and described him as ?upbeat, surprisingly jovial,? adding that he had said ?he had feelers about teaching.?
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