It was fear of the L-word. No, it was a craving for change.
Tom Robotham, who recently left after 10 years as editor in chief of Port Folio Weekly, said his bosses deemed him and his publication too liberal.
"That 'L' word was perhaps the biggest sticking point," Robotham wrote in his farewell column last week. "But as any thoughtful reader of our publication knows, we never embraced left-wing politics mindlessly or rigidly."
His higher-ups offer a different take in a column to be published this week.
"It has to do with a need for significant change," wrote Port Folio publisher Colleen Nabhan and Edward Power, general manager of Targeted Publications + Media. Port Folio, owned by The Virginian-Pilot, "has experienced a graying of its audience" and must "embrace new audiences in more inventive and effective ways" while staying true to "loyal readers and advertisers."
The new co-editors are Leona Baker and Jeff Maisey.
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Thanks Tom...
...for 10 years of great work at PFW. In my opinion, the magazine improved greatly and continually under your leadership. Although I often did not agree with the (political) viewpoints that were published (including yours), the viewpoints were usually well-reasoned and well-articulated.
Greater Norfolk is a better place for your contributions, and I'm glad that you will continue be be a "neighbor" and force in the cultural progress of our great region.
Port Folio was never risky enough
to be called a true Arts and Entertainment Weekly. Look at northern large cities' weeklies as an example, which are much edgier and more interesting. A move toward a more graying audience??? We already have the Tidewater boomer, or whatever, for that dull crowd. Xers and Millenials drive urban culture and that is what Port Folio needs. read Richard Florida's book before hiring a new editor. I wish you well Tom!
"never embraced left-wing politics mindlessly or rigidly?"
Are you kidding me? Port Folio is to the Left what Michael Savage is to the Right, uninformed extremists!
They make The Pilot look Right of center...
Time for TR to go
Since I moved to Tidewater, I have enjoyed PortFolio, but over the years I have seen it lose its quirky, sometimes outrageous, alternative flair and become dull, elitist and doctrinaire.
I don't think there was anything partisan or malevolent in that, but when you have lunch with the same people every day and they all share your views, your ability to see the other side's good intent shrivels up and you are left with 'all who disagree are evil.'
In any case, over the last few years, my enjoyment of PortFolio as a lighthearted look into the left wing mindset has morphed into a kind of intellectual masochism of wondering how my values would be marginalized this week.
TR entertained me for a while, but its time to let someone else have a turn.
Tom Robotham is one of the finest writers,brought Port Folio up
Tom Robotham made Port Folio worthy of read and obviously brought the PFW up to levels that cannot be denied. I find it funny or scary that this context of liberalism is touted by upper management and I think his editorial was excellent in terms of clearly stating his consistent wisdom and prowess as one of the finest journalist/editors this area has known.
Though I know Leona Baker has chops as a writer and will no doubt, carry forward the progressiveness that was instilled by Tom R, Jeff Maisey as any type editor or even within the topics he covers in a multitude of his stories is just a bad choice. There was a reason Nine Volt failed; it was poorly conceived and Maisey has a provincial understanding of music let alone arts and culture. I hope Leona Baker can assert herself and her understanding to override Maisey's lack of talent.
Tom Robotham, I hope someone bank rolls you to give us an alternative news source for this area as monopolies in news publications are surely a dangerous thing
Portfolio
Perhaps you just made too much money. With the sell off by Batten Junior anything is possible. Rest assured it was not because you were too liberal!
The Pilot is a liberal paper, with liberal leadership. Perhaps you should of gone to Chicago last week with that leadership to cheer for Obama, perhaps you still would of still been employed.The portfolio was a great read even for a right winger like me. Good Luck!