Toronto Sun founder blasts those who forced him out p.

By: Alan Harman

Toronto Sun founder blasts those who forced him out p.
Creighton says those who 'took' his company
away from him acted in a 'classless manner'
DOUG CREIGHTON, FOUNDER of the Toronto Sun publishing empire, has made his first public comments on his ousting last year.
"They took my company away from me, and they may have had the legal right," said Creighton, the keynote speaker at the annual dinner of the Canadian Press, "but I think they were wrong and they acted in a very classless manner."
The MacLean Hunter-controlled board of the Toronto Sun publishing Corp. had said it was "in the best interests of the paper" to have Creighton retire a year earlier than planned.
Creighton, 64, was forced to resign as chairman and chief executive officer of the company last November. The move stunned Sun workers.
"They took our company away from me," he told employees. "This took place despite a signed agreement which was arrived at two months prior."
There was no doubt of his continued popularity in the industry. As he approached the podium, he was greeted with enthusiastic applause. He was introduced with lavish praise by Gordon Bullock, past chairman of the Canadian Press board.
"If I'm that good, why the hell was I fired?" he responded. Creighton said he feared the industry was becoming too corporate.
"I distrust people who do surveys," he said. "I distrust them and always have. My perception is of little people brandishing charts, graphs and computer printouts. I have always felt that they have no idea what editorial people do and what the product is.
"Give them a full run to do what they want and we will end up with a Wizard of Oz newspaper industry ? no heart, no brains and no courage."
Wayne Parrish, the Toronto Sun's new executive editor, was the first to rise from his seat when Creighton was given a standing ovation at the end of the speech.
Creighton defied the odds to start the tabloid Sun in 1971 from the ruins of the defunct Toronto Telegram. The company now operates newspapers in Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa and owns 60% of the Financial Post, a business tabloid.
Creighton had not spoken publicly about his ouster apart from an address to Sun employees to confirm he was forced out against his will.
In an out-of-court settlement, the company agreed to pay him full salary until the end of November and a smaller amount for 10 years. He will also receive his regular pension benefits starting in December.
Creighton said the newspaper faces tough times and he fears TV poses a serious threat to the industry. "Many think the outlook is bleak. The industry has to struggle for solutions," he warned.
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