Vermont Paper Wants to Cancel AP In Protest Of Bureau Chief Firing

By: Joe Strupp At least one Vermont newspaper wants to cancel its Associated Press membership in protest of the news organization's recent firing of longtime Vermont statehouse bureau chief Christopher Graff.

In a letter to AP President and CEO Tom Curley, Emerson Lynn, editor and publisher of the St. Albans Messenger, asked for information about how to end the paper's ties to AP, noting that the move is a direct reaction to Graff's firing on March 20.

"I respectfully request you to forward me information as to the process required to cancel The St. Albans Messenger's membership with the Associated Press," Emerson's letter, posted on the paper's Web site, began. "It is with regret that I make this request, but it appears to be the best means by which I can register my displeasure with the Associated Press and its dismissal of Montpelier Bureau Chief Christopher Graff.

"Mr. Graff is an institution in Vermont. For almost 30 years he has been one of the guiding forces of high-quality journalism in our state. His integrity is above reproach. His knowledge of Vermont is legendary," the letter continued. "His daily contributions and his management of the Associated Press in Vermont have been your agency's mainstay here. He is the primary reason you have a business in Vermont - a business we pay for as a cooperative. Without him, Vermont journalism has a weaker report, something to which I strenuously object. Contrary to some, I believe quality journalism still counts, and that good journalism is good business."

The letter was posted along with a stinging editorial, which called Graff "one of Vermont's most venerable journalists," adding that his dismissal is "prompting a chorus of outrage from one end of the state to the other."

AP Spokesman Jack Stokes had no immediate comment on the request when contacted by E&P today.

Another Vermont daily, The Brattleboro Reformer, also weighed in against the AP for its dismissal of Graff, publishig an editorial today that said, "the AP should be embarrassed by their decision."

Graff, who had worked in Vermont journalism for nearly three decades, was let go last week without a clear reason from either himself or AP officials. Speculation has arisen that his dismissal had something to do with a column written by Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy earlier this year that supported the newspaper industry's "Sunshine Week." AP reportedly withdrew the column from circulation after Graff had distributed among Vermont AP members..

"AP members in Vermont have not yet been told why he was dismissed -- something we find odd given the fact that the AP is a membership-owned cooperative," Emerson's letter said. "This puts us in an awkward position since our readers are logically speculating as to the veracity of the AP report. [Were stories written that were inaccurate? Were laws broken?] Nor have we been told what to expect going forward."

Emerson also mentioned the rumors of the Leahy column connection, saying "that would be an outrage, if even partially true." Emerson could not immediately be reached for comment this morning.

Graff also has been unavailable and made few comments on the firing.