To AlterNet Readers,

As some of you are aware, allegations surfaced earlier this week of sexual harassment involving AlterNet’s longtime executive editor, Don Hazen. We take these allegations very seriously, and in turn, the Board of Directors of AlterNet’s parent organization, the Independent Media Institute, immediately placed Don on indefinite leave as we began to investigate these claims. As of today, Don submitted his resignation, which the Board accepted, effective immediately.

Don has had a long and distinguished career, and his stewardship of AlterNet has been dedicated and imaginative for more than two decades. We all regret his tenure ended this way, but we want to reassure our readers and the broader AlterNet community that we are deeply confident about the future of AlterNet and are dedicated to continuing to work for its stability and success.

We have designated two Board members to assist with day-to-day management of operations, and the Board is in the process of exploring longer-term leadership plans. In the meantime, we will continue to carry out and distribute the kind of wide-ranging journalism AlterNet has long been known for.

We hope you will continue to support our efforts to create original journalism and to amplify the voices of other independent media sources — especially at this time when our country and the world need independent journalism more than ever.

Thank you,

The Board of Directors of the Independent Media Institute