Forbes CEO Sherry Phillips sent the following to the staff on Friday in the wake of the firing of editor in chief Randall Lane:
Team,
Many of you have now read the reporting about the circumstances surrounding Randall Lane’s departure from Forbes. I recognize how unsettling it is to learn information of this nature through the media, particularly when it concerns someone who held a senior leadership position here.
I want to be clear about our standards: the conduct described in the reporting is unacceptable and incompatible with Forbes’s values and policies. No individual — regardless of title, tenure or contributions — is above those standards. When we became aware of the matter, we acted immediately and decisively.
Integrity and ethical behavior in our journalism and in our business dealings, particularly from our leaders, is paramount to who we are as an organization. This commitment guides our behavior with each other, our partners, our clients, and our audiences. Mutual trust and transparency are required.
Forbes maintains clear policies governing conflicts of interest, outside business activities and the use of company relationships for personal benefit. Our editorial standards also require independence and the disclosure and avoidance of circumstances that could compromise — or appear to compromise — the integrity of our journalism. These obligations apply to everyone, and they carry particular weight for those in positions of leadership.
For more than a century, Forbes has earned trust by pursuing independent journalism with integrity. That trust is earned through the independence of our journalism and the integrity of our decisions. I know this moment is difficult, but it does not diminish the professionalism of our journalists or the quality of the work produced across the organization every day.
The leadership team in place is fully committed to upholding these standards. We are committed to moving forward with clarity and a focus on earning and maintaining the trust placed in us.
Sherry.
