Brian Stelter announced Tuesday that he plans to leave The New York Times for CNN:
Yep, I have some personal news to share today…
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 12, 2013
I’m joining @CNN as the network’s senior media correspondent and the host of “Reliable Sources.”
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 12, 2013
I've been at the @nytimes since college so it's surreal to be leaving. I've learned everything here. To my colleagues: thank you.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 12, 2013
Matt Bai, The New York Times Magazine’s political correspondent, announced his departure the same day, the same way.
After 11 awesome years at @NYTmag, I have an extremely cool new job at @YahooNews. (Might add a ! on my name.) http://t.co/UmPjXMIYdr
— MattBai (@MattBai) November 12, 2013
The Times has seen a number of prominent staffers leave for other opportunities. Many of them used Twitter to report their own news.
On October 24, Times editor Rick Berke announced he was leaving for Politico.
Tks everyone for the good wishes. Will always root for NYT — where I've been since Reagan years — but SO excited about POLITICO adventure.
— Rick Berke (@rickberke) October 24, 2013
On July 22, Nate Silver announced he was taking FiveThirtyEight to ESPN.
Very excited to announce that FiveThirtyEight will be moving to @ESPN. http://t.co/WHgwa3aceO
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) July 22, 2013
On Feb. 25, political reporter Jeff Zeleny confirmed he was joining ABC News.
I'm looking forward joining the stellar team at @abcnews. A great team and a great tradition that I'm humbled and proud to join.
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) February 25, 2013
He was followed the next day by Times reporter Susan Saulny, whom he tweet-gratulated.
A big congratulations to my friend @ssaulny who is also joining @abc. A remarkable reporter who I'm thrilled to still have as a colleague.
— Jeff Zeleny (@jeffzeleny) February 26, 2013
In January, Poynter’s Andrew Beaujon reported on the list of people from the Times who’d taken buyouts. And Capital New York’s Joe Pompeo provided a complete timeline here. In January, John Geddes, then managing editor, didn’t share news of his upcoming departure in 140 characters, though. Instead, he announced that he’d accept the buyout to colleagues in a newsroom memo.
I’m moving on. I’ve arrived at that magical spot where a buyout offer miraculously appears and presents me with new opportunities. Yes, yes, I know everyone says you have to do this carefully and be armed with a plan, but I don’t have one – not yet.
Frankly, I blame this lack of personal preparedness on this place. I’ve always believed The New York Times works because it is, at heart, a collective of unique individuals bound together in pursuit of great journalism. We’re about the common goal, not about jostling one another for a place in a transitory spotlight. The mission is about us, not about me or you.
