The new gay newspaper Atlanta Free Press, which distributed its first issue Dec. 10, is already marred by the reputation of its editor Zack Hudson, who reportedly fabricated quotes in previous stories he wrote for the Southern Voice — which is now dead courtesy Window Media’s closure, but whose staffers are resurrecting the mission under the GA Voice brand. Maybe they can do a story about their new competition at AFP.
UPDATE: Hudson’s boss, AFP publisher Matt Neumann, admits Hudson also lied to a reporter about a lawsuit and confidential settlement against Southern Voice, neither of which took place. But Newmann is excusing that behavior, and refused to accept Hudson’s — numerous — resignations.
UPDATE: Well, that’s all changed: Hudson has resigned. For reals this time.
Scott H
Man oh man…
How do people not find it distasteful that the so-called forthcoming GA Voice is soliciting donations for start up costs? Are they going to be a not-for-profit? If so, why is that not being declared? If they are going to be a for-profit venture, why are they pursuing private grass-roots donations? Opportunism capitalizing on nostalgia and community fear that a legacy in GLBT news has died and won’t be replaced? Come on folks. Capitalism! There is a market void that will be filled, one way or another. What makes the former SOVO folks that formed GA Voice worthy of charity venture capital for a for-profit venture? Why do they get a handicap, an artificial leg up at inception? Further, It strikes me as odd and suspicious that the Atlanta Journal Constitution has already published two brief pieces on this group that has formed GA Voice…but given no coverage to existing news/community media entities. What kind of insider journalism politics is at play here? And how does that interrelate to the Atlanta Progressive News expose on Zack Hudson? APN lists former SOVO employees as sources regarding Hudson. Does anyone NOT see this as a move to discredit ATL-Free Press to clear the field for GA Voice, regardless of Hudson’s record? I don’t know many of these players personally, so I will be limit my commentary…however…Something is rotten in Denmark, and have NO illusions that it is ONLY Hudson’s record.
Chip OKelley
My name is Chip OKelley and I am one of the publishers of AFP and I would welcome an oppertunity to discuss this matter. There are a lot of factors that needs to be taken in consideration on the issue of any press in Atlanta including the years of failure of SoVo an it’s staff. Please email me [email protected]
gaydarmatt
Wow! Where should I start? I guess I should be glad that we are at least now getting a mention. After all when we announced the launch date of our paper and later when it actually came out, This site didn’t have a thing to say. In fact for the last few weeks almost every gay media source and NPR made it sound like Atlanta had no gay publications at all. A real surprise to Gaydar and The Pocket Rocket to be sure.
Furthermore I love the headline: Will You Read Atlanta’s New Gay Newspaper That’s Edited By a Jayson Blair?
That sounds like the verdict is already in. And since no one from this site ever called me or emailed me for a comment, it seems like the decision to discredit my paper has already been made.
I have to wonder what the real motivation for this could be? We didn’t seem to matter when we announced our launch and even after we came out.
A true journalist would check out both sides of a story and present both sides to the reader for the reader to decide. Here we have a commentary not news, not reporting. Again we were never contacted for our side of the story or a reaction to it. You the reader are being asked a leading question without all of the facts.
Again would the facts really matter here? Will this comment get posted? A copy of this will be posted on our site.
Furthermore, if we wish to talk about a bad reputation, let’s ask the many folks who paid for ads in David and SoVo just before their demise what they think. Let’s review the questions from the save SoVo town hall meeting and let’s be truthful. 80? more like 60….and once you subtract the 30 plus former David/SoVo employees and the church staff what was the real turn out?
Perhaps a dozen folks had a chance to comment or question Chris Cash and Laura Douglas-Brown about
the new paper. What was the question most asked? “Will you do a better job covering the entire community?” “Will you be more fair and balanced?” With an attack like this… Will they?
At that meeting, despite having been invited to the meeting the statement was made to the attendees
by Ms. Cash and Ms. Brown that Atlanta needed them so much because there were “no” other LGBT
publications in Atlanta since Labrys folded all that remained was project Q. Again a surprise to us since
we had already announced the launch date for The Atlanta Free Press, Gaydar’s ten months of being in existence along with Pocket Rocket as well. Truth and honesty in reporting? Honestly!
Did you fine folks now that a few days after the closure of David & SoVo, we (Gaydar) invited the staff
to lunch at Las Margaritas, there an offer was made to them to join with us, we would bring them onboard
in the same positions that they held with David and SoVo. That they would have virtual autonomy with the
running of Gaydar and The Free Press.
I stated to them that the our community had been through enough this past year. Let’s join together and provide our community with a fine magazine and newspaper. Let’s not start a media war. The economy was bad. I would step down as Editor of Gaydar and give it to Ryan Lee, Ms. Brown would be Editor of The Free Press and most of the staff would follow.
My comments of, “for the good of the community, the need of a strong voice etc.” were repeated at the town hall verbatim, but not by me….hmmmm didn’t someone mention Jayson Blair?
In short I will sum it up. Gaydar and The Atlanta Free Press have never gotten a fair shake by this site,
Project Q or any other “established” media in Atlanta and I don’t expect one now.
I will however stand by our commitment to the community as demonstrated by the past 10 months
of Gaydar’s existence. We have been praised by so many of the simple folks out there for our fair and equal
coverage and availability to ALL aspects of our diverse community.
Many African-Americans, Latinos, Drag Queens, Lesbians, people of all ages, shapes, sizes and even
sexual orientation have appeared in Gaydar and even on our covers. Local people from Atlanta have been
featured and written about and for a nightlife guide we even took a few stands like our opinion of having pride on Halloween or the lack luster support by the community for the Eagle.
It is my goal to have The Atlanta Free Press serve ALL members of our community to the best of our ability
as Gaydar has for almost a year now. We will be fair and honest and respectful of all opinions. Perfection… We will strive for it. Our second issue hit the streets today, I hope you like it and will always invite your comments, ideas, suggestions and criticism. [email protected]
This publication is for you, my GLBT brothers and sisters. To give us a voice and a common point of contact
at a time when we still cannot marry, enter a bar without fear of our civil rights being violated or even exist
in many parts of the world.
I stand firmly behind Zack Hudson. He has done a super job at putting a paper together from scratch and getting it out on the street in just a few days. None of us are perfect. None of us without blemish. I am a firm
believer in second chances. After all who has more to prove and more motivation than someone given a second chance. I was aware of the prior drama with him and SoVo. Having worked with him on Gaylife
and after many meetings, I decided we have our man. He was offered a dual position as editor along with
Xanna Don’t. She accepted at first and then requested a lesser role.
As for the infamous “I can’t talk about it because of litigation” comment by Mr. Hudson to a “reporter”,
that was a bold face lie. A lie from a man who had just worked a day job for eight hours and completed
a 14 hour layout marathon to get this weeks issue to press and who had been hounded for hours for a
comment on the situation. Just like when the telemarketer calls to sell you a subscription to the AJC and you reply, “Oh no thanks….I already get it” Anything to get them off of the phone.
Zack has offered his resignation to me several times today, I have refused it. I believe he shares my vision
for a strong, independent and fair publication for our community. He has not let me down. Second chances?
Have you ever gotten one?
Please judge us by our paper, what’s in it. Challenge us and check us for accuracy, but you the reader
decide for yourself about The Atlanta Free Press and Zack Hudson. Don’t let someone else with
questionable motives or practices form it for you.
Matt
gaydarmatt
Okay please don’t tell me about my typos…I posted the non-proof read copy of my statement and can’t remove it.
Matt
Besides, it’s what I do best!