USA (Commonwealth Union)_ In light of impending layoffs, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian-American editor of a major newspaper has decided to resign in an attempt to save other employees’ jobs. The editor has taken this decision in the hopes that if his remuneration is eliminated from the company’s budget, other employees will be able to maintain their employment. Bhatia, who was a Pulitzer Prize jury member for seven times, has guided newsrooms to ten Pulitzer Prizes, including six in Portland.
Media corporation Gannett is the owner of the Detroit Free Press, and Peter Bhatia serves as its editor. Following two consecutive losses, the corporation is now laying off employees. Peter Bhatia announced his resignation from the company during a staff event earlier this week. Peter Bhatia spoke about his resignation decision and how his decision will help his employees save their jobs.
Peter stated, “We’re in a difficult period economically. The company is going through a layoff process and I essentially made the decision to lay myself off in the interest of saving other jobs”. He added, “I do have other opportunities that will probably come to work out at some point. But if by getting my salary out of the budget it saves some jobs of people on the staff, I think that’s the right thing for the Free Press”.
Following his final decision, Peter Bhatia would leave the newspaper early the next year. Under his leadership, the number of paying subscribers to the Free Press website climbed significantly. Peter Bhatia’s father is a native of Lucknow and Bhatia studied history and communication at Stanford University following which he served as an editor and reporter for a variety of American websites. Additionally, he also served in a top position at The Oregonian from 2010 to 2014, becoming the first person of South Asian descent to run and manage a prominent American newspaper.
