Carlton quits SMH
FAIRFAX journalist Mike Carlton has resigned after a string of abusive Tweets and emails aimed at irate readers, including one labelling a reader a “Jewish bigot”.
FAIRFAX journalist Mike Carlton has resigned after a string of abusive Tweets and emails aimed at irate readers, including one labelling a reader a “Jewish bigot”.
Carlton quit on finding out he was to be suspended on Tuesday night for sending abusive replies to Sydney Morning Herald readers, who were outraged at a vitriolic opinion piece he authored on the Gaza conflict.
He called one correspondent “the classic example of a Jewish bigot” and “arrogant and foolish”; on Twitter he called one person a “little w**ker”, told another he would like to hear from them after they had “joined the IDF and gone off to kill some kids” and told several people to “f**k off”.
SMH editor-in-chief Darren Goodsir apologised to readers on Tuesday night.
“I have become aware that Mike Carlton has corresponded with some Herald readers and letter writers using inappropriate and offensive language,” Goodsir said.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable.
“In dealing with our readers, it is a basic principle that our staff, columnists and contributors should always behave with respect and courtesy.”
Goodsir informed one reader on Friday Carlton had been admonished. But he decided further action was required after he became aware of more information.
“Further material came to light that I was not in possession of on Friday and that led to me meaning that rather than strongly admonishing him, I determined that he need to apologise personally to those readers who had been the subject of his inappropriate and offensive language,” he told The AJN on Wednesday.
Following the statement from Goodsir, Carlton confirmed that he had quit on Wednesday morning.
“Sad that a once great newspaper has buckled to the bullies. Thanks for your support … maintain the rage,” he said on Twitter.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president Yair Miller said the decision of the SMH to sanction Mike Carlton and his subsequent decision to resign is the correct outcome.
“There is no place in society for that sort of behaviour by any person, let alone one with a platform to influence public opinion,” Miller said. “The Jewish community was rightly outraged by the original column and the response to feedback by Mr Carlton really crossed all lines of what is acceptable conduct.”
But the damage by Carlton and the cartoon used with the story might be harder for Fairfax to forget about.
Several readers have already cancelled their subscriptions and high-profile businessmen have said they will not advertise in the SMH.
“We won’t be supporting them with our dollars that we spend on advertising, and that runs into seven figures,” Avstev Group’s Steven Rom said.
JOSHUA LEVI
Mike Carlton has resigned from The Sydney Morning Herald.
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