PITTSBURGH — One of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalists who was taken off any assignments related to recent protests in the area announced Sunday he is leaving the paper.
The decision to take the two journalists off of the coverage was made by leaders at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
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Michael Santiago made the announcement on Twitter and said he accepted the buyout that was offered to employees in May:
Update on my situation. Thank you #Pittsburgh ✊🏾✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/oRNxAUD9Uu
— Michael M. Santiago (@msantiagophotos) June 14, 2020
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Santiago and Alexis Johnson were told they could not cover local protests after Johnson sent a tweet showing the aftermath of a Kenny Chesney concert in comparison to looters.
Santiago publicly supported her.
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The tweet showed bias, according to management at the Post-Gazette, adding that the journalists were not removed because they are black.
Management at the paper also said there is a need for fairness and truth, and they will hold their employees to that standard.
Michael Fuoco, president of the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalist, responded to Santiago’s announcement:
On so many levels I am so sorry to see @msantiagophotos depart the @PittsburghPG but I totally understand why he is doing so. Neither he nor @alexisjreports nor any fellow member of the @PGNewsGuild deserved the abominable treatment they’ve received. https://t.co/Pa31HSY0p8
— Michael A. Fuoco (@michaelafuoco) June 14, 2020
Brian Cook, the president of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, also released a statement. Click here to read it.
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