Newspapers tell the truth.

They must. Always.

That is why we, the newsroom of The Denver Post, are outraged at the unconscionable censorship imposed on our now-former editorial page editor, Chuck Plunkett. Chuck told the truth, eloquently and pointedly. And in that our newspaper’s corporate ownership — Digital First Media and the hedge fund Alden Global Capital — saw something to fear, not to champion.

Chuck resigned Thursday after the chief operating officer of DFM, Guy Gilmore, blocked Chuck from publishing an editorial that forcefully criticized DFM and Alden. Chuck’s resignation followed the firing last month of the editorial page editor for our corporate sibling, the Boulder Daily Camera, who also spoke out against our owners. This censorship harms our readers, and we are concerned it also threatens the newsroom’s independence. It requires journalists to work in an unacceptable climate of intimidation, worried that telling the truth will lead to dismissal.

For years, the companies have blamed journalists and the reading public for the steady decline in their newspapers’ quality. In Chuck’s banned editorial, you can read the facts: According to an independent report, Alden and DFM reaped $160 million in profits from their newspapers across the country in 2017, including $28 million from The Denver Post.

In that time, the corporate owners — led by Alden bosses Heath Freeman and Randall Smith — slashed budgets and laid off reporters, editors, photographers, designers, producers, pressmen, advertising reps, customer service personnel and other members of the newspaper family. Journalism in those places withered, the powerful impact on community and accountability that newspapers provide did too, and only a handful of wealthy individuals benefited.

Those are not the actions of owners who appear to care about journalism or about Colorado.

Though Chuck’s province at the newspaper was opinion and we, the newsroom, operate with strict ethical rules for objectivity, we have always shared a common purpose. We tell the truth, even when it is difficult. We tell the truth, even when the subject hits close to home.

There was an inscription that decorated the front of one of The Denver Post’s earliest buildings that read:

“O Justice, when expelled from other habitations, make this thy dwelling place.”

For 125 years, that has been a solemn vow that The Denver Post has made to its readers, and it is one Chuck and we in the newsroom intend to keep.

It has become vividly clear that Alden and DFM do not share in that vow. It has become vividly clear that they are undeserving of owning The Denver Post and of serving you. It has become vividly clear that they must either invest in the newspaper or sell it to someone who cares about Colorado, and they must do it immediately.

That is the truth.

Signed:

John Aguilar, Suburbs Reporter

Joe Amon, Photographer

Torin Berge, Deputy Sports Editor

Dan Boniface, Digital Director, Sports

Amy Brothers, Digital Photo/Video Editor

Jennifer Brown, Investigations Reporter

Mike Chambers, Avalanche Reporter

Hyoung Chang, Photographer

Tamara Chuang, Technology Reporter

Dana Coffield, Senior Editor

Adrian Crawford, Digital Producer

Andy Cross, Photographer

Barb Ellis, Features Editor

Bruce Finley, Environment Reporter

Peyton Garcia, Community Journalist

Susan Gonzalez, Digital Producer

Sara Grant, Editor, The Know

Greg Griffin, Business/Investigations Editor

Kevin Hamm, Digital Producer

Elizabeth Hernandez, Breaking News Reporter

TJ Hutchinson, Systems Editor

John Ingold, Health/Enterprise Reporter

Mike Judson, Assistant Editor

Eric J. Lubbers, Director of Innovation

Mark Matthews, Politics Reporter

David Migoya, Investigations Reporter

Kirk Mitchell, Breaking News Reporter

Scott Monserud, Assistant Managing Editor, Sports

John Mossman, Copy Editor

Jon Murray, City Hall Reporter

Joe Nguyen, Digital Producer

Kieran Nicholson, Breaking News Reporter

AAron Ontiveroz, Visual Journalist

Chris Osher, Investigations Reporter

Jesse Paul, Politics Reporter

Noelle Phillips, Police Reporter

Lori Punko, Content Coordinator

Helen Richardson, Photographer

Chris Rickett, Politics Editor

Becky Risch, Digital Director

Dena Rosenberry, Deputy City Editor

Joe Rubino, Business Reporter

Larry Ryckman, Senior Editor

Mario Sanelli, Editorial Assistant

RJ Sangosti, Photographer

Patrick Saunders, Rockies Reporter

Daniel J. Schneider, Digital Producer

Megan Schrader, Editorial Writer

Kevin Simpson, General Assignment/Enterprise Reporter

Matt L. Stephens, Deputy Sports Editor

Aldo Svaldi, Real Estate/Economy Reporter

Patrick Traylor, Photo Editor

Alicia Wallace, Business Reporter

John Wenzel, Reporter

Monte Whaley, Education Reporter

Danika Worthington, Breaking News Reporter