Sam Zell: it was all her fault
Tribune Co. overlord Sam Zell is now blaming Orlando Sentinel photographer Sara Fajardo for the F-bomb he launched at her after she asked him some hard questions at a staff meeting. It seems that Zell--doesn't he look like Golum from Lord of the Rings?--thought that Fajardo had turned her back on him and walked huffily away in response to his declaration that she was guilty of "arrogance" for defending good journalism. According to a Tribune Co. spokesman, Fajardo was being "disrespectful" in both the tone of her voice and body language. The Los Angeles Times, which Zell also owns, then pointed out that Zell's now-famous employee handbook directly encourages employees to ask tough questions of their supervisors.
I'm sure this "explanation" for the F-bomb was concocted by Zell and his people after long meetings on how best to spin his damaging behavior. Zell has allegedly attempted to call Fajardo twice to apologize but just can't seem to reach her.
The Orlando Sentinel has recovered from its temporary urge to suck up to the new boss and is now defending Fajardo, who for her part says she simply thought her turn at the microphone was done and was returning to her seat. She has refused all request for comment, which might be an attempt by her to hide out until the storm blows over, or may have been ordered by Sentinel management.
And what's this stuff about Zell wanting to run strip club ("gentlemen's club") ads in the Los Angeles Times? I guess that's part of his vision to raise more money so his papers can run more photos from Iraq and fewer photos of puppydogs.