MISSOULA – Lee Enterprises is looking for a new publisher for its Western Montana newspapers after choosing a new publisher just days ago.
Paul McArthur was chosen on Tuesday to take over for Mike Gulledge, who announced his retirement on Monday. But now Lee is back to the drawing board with a short timeline to find a replacement. Gulledge was the publisher of the Billings Gazette and also oversaw the Missoulian and the Ravalli Republic.
McArthur was to begin work as the new publisher as early as next week because Gulledge’s retirement is set to begin effectively on Sept. 30.
Lee Enterprises has not confirmed to MTN News the reason for the change. However, within days of naming McArthur as publisher, two former Missoula Independent reporters unearthed old tweets McArthur posted of questionable taste.
Some were considered sexist by others on social media, while others were critical of the media in general.
This one is really something pic.twitter.com/JisNimqrvM
— Derek Brouwer (@derekwbrouwer) September 26, 2018
New Missoulian publisher liked several tweets in recent months that called the media “the enemy of the truth” and “fake news.” If his company hadn’t shut down the Indy this month, I’d be asking him to comment today about his views of the press. #mtpol pic.twitter.com/lgqcm8k9qd
— Derek Brouwer (@derekwbrouwer) September 25, 2018
MTN News reached out to Lee Enterprises for comment on why there has been another change in leadership but have not heard back from them.
Earlier this month, Lee suddenly shut down the Independent with almost no warning in the middle of contract negotiations with the paper’s newly formed union.
