Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and opinion editor of the Detroit Free Press, Stephen Henderson, was fired today after an internal investigation showed that Henderson had a history of comments and incidents that did not meet the company’s “values and standards.”
This is all according to a post that appeared on the Freep’s website this afternoon.
“Effective today, Stephen Henderson will no longer be employed by the Detroit Free Press. The decision was made after an internal investigation was conducted which uncovered credible allegations that Mr. Henderson’s behavior has been inconsistent with company values and standards.”
Henderson has been in the paper’s top opinion spot since 2009. There, he’s responsible for unsigned editorials as well as edits various columnists. He has been a rising star in the political punditry world representing a left of center voice, including appearing multiple times on NBC’s Meet The Press. He hosts a number of shows such as “Detroit Today” on WDET-FM 101.9, as well as “American Black Journal” and “MiWeek” on Detroit Public Television.
“This is a devastatingly sad day for us at the Free Press. Stephen is a magnificent journalist and a treasured colleague who has done so much for Detroit,” said Free Press Editor and Vice President Bhatia on the Freep.
It’s important to note that “there were no accusations or evidence of sexual assault.”
This is a tumultuous time for Detroit media.
Rev. W.J. Rideout III, pastor of Our God’s People Church in Detroit, in a news conference last week accused several local journalists of inappropriate behavior toward women, including Henderson and longtime WXYZ-TV anchor Stephen Clark. Yet he cited no evidence and offerred no specifics.
Among the people Rideout accused were WXYZ-TV anchor Malcolm Maddox, who the station placed on administrative leave while it conducts an investigation.
Rideout this week was suspended from his show on WFDF-AM 910. Station owner Kevin Adell said he was skeptical of Rideout’s claims since he offered no proof and identified no victims.