Story Spiked

In a world when many media companies are bending a knee and kissing the ring of Donald Trump, this will likely be a growing problem.

A veteran reporter at the New York Post, Josh Kosman, was suspended after accusing editor-in-chief Keith Poole of killing his story about one of President Donald Trump's nominees. Kosman, a 16-year veteran, was investigating the "chequered past" of Trump's nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency, Terry Cole, when he was informed his article had been "spiked" by Poole. An email from the Post's political editor confirmed Poole's decision, stating, "KP [Keith Poole] spiked the story... 'Nope. Not running this' in a way that made clear there was no changing his mind."

Two weeks later, Kosman was presented with a performance improvement plan or the option to seek new employment, leading him to believe this was retaliation for his attempted exposé. His story reportedly detailed concerns from former DEA officials about Cole's alleged involvement in a botched Colombian police operation and a cartel's brutal retaliation. Kosman was suspended with pay after the newsletter Breaker contacted the Post for comment, prompting him to tell Breaker, "I certainly interpreted it as retaliation. The timing struck me as not coincidental."

The New York Post denied Kosman's allegations, with a spokesperson stating, "The allegations of ‘catch and kill’ and retaliation against Josh Kosman are absolutely, categorically untrue." This incident unfolded shortly after Donald Trump publicly praised Keith Poole's work at the New York Post and suggested he should also take over the Wall Street Journal.

H/T Mediaite