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Topic: Memos Sent to Romenesko
Date/Time: 12/22/2008 2:48:02 PM
Title: Franklin resigns as Baltimore Sun editor
Posted By: Jim Romenesko
 
Sent: Mon,12/22/2008 2:01 PM
To: TBS-All News Baltsun
Subject: Message from Tim Franklin

Dec. 22, 2008

Dear colleagues,

It is with very mixed emotions that I must tell you that I'm leaving one of my life's passions, being your editor, for another long-time passion of mine, the Indiana University School of Journalism.

Indiana, which is my alma mater, has asked me to launch and direct the nation's pre-eminent sports journalism center, as well as serve as its Louis A. Weil, Jr. Endowed Chair in Journalism. This represents an extraordinary opportunity for me to help build a new program and have a long-lasting impact at an institution that I care deeply about and that is on the move. The I.U. School of Journalism, which spans both the Indianapolis and Bloomington campuses, is the perfect place for a sports journalism program. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity.

I'm deeply saddened, however, that I'll no longer be working with all of you. Every single day for the past five years, I've been honored to serve as your editor and energized by your passion to strive for excellence and serve readers. Despite the economic turmoil and the tsunami of change our industry is facing, your resilience in staying focused on producing great journalism has inspired and sustained me.

Even amid recent distractions, you exposed a stealth pay raise for top city officials, generated one of our best narrative stories of the year on the death of Veronica Williams and produced a series on state hospital debt collection practices that already has sparked an investigation by the governor. Our community is talking about The Sun, again, because of your journalism. Those stories represent the kind of original, public service reporting and exceptional storytelling that will help The Sun overcome whatever economic challenges it faces.

You've changed laws, exposed wrongdoing, written vivid narratives, blanketed beats, covered breaking news with vigor, taken amazing photographs, written engaging headlines and given our readers two innovative new designs. You've helped build a multi-media powerhouse on baltimoresun.com, producing blogs, videos, interactive graphics, photos and breaking news stories that have sent our online readership soaring and built a foundation for the future. You've won many of the nation’s most prestigious journalism awards in the process. And, to cap it off, our print readership was up both daily and Sunday in the most recent report.

I can never thank you enough for your support. We've been through much together – the highs of spectacular breaking news coverage and groundbreaking projects, and the excruciating challenges of reorganizing the newsroom in tough economic times. I’m eternally grateful to have worked with so many talented and devoted journalists, and to have been entrusted with this opportunity by my publishers. You’ve upheld the award-winning legacy of this place with distinguished journalism, an abundance of creativity and considerable personal sacrifice.

I want you to know that I'm moving to another journalistic opportunity and a new kind of professional challenge, not running from a situation. Those who know me well know that I've always wanted to transition to journalism education at some point. This is the ideal opportunity for me to make that transition. I leave knowing that The Sun is – and will remain for years to come – a vital and vibrant news organization that holds an important public trust in this community.

There are many challenges ahead, but Monty is a smart, dedicated and innovative leader who will help The Sun prosper for years to come. I hope that you'll provide him with the same kind of support that you’ve afforded me.

Thanks for making this a rewarding and memorable journey.

Tim

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