The Objective

The Editor of a New York City Newspaper Bullied Reporters for Years. Then, He Was Promoted.

Alexis Allison

Stories of toxic bosses who churn through staff don’t often get pulled from whisper networks and exposed in an in-depth investigative news story — especially when the villain is a news editor. But The Objective rejected that norm. Over two years, the publication spoke with nine reporters about their experiences working with an editor accused of bullying young journalists, especially women, for years. After the Objective published its report, Michael Hinman was suspended from his position as executive editor at Herald Community Newspapers pending an internal review. Then his name was no longer listed on the publication’s staff page, and the Herald published a job posting for an executive editor that included the requirement to “develop your direct reports into effective coaches,” The Objective reported.

Judges praised the impact of The Objective’s reporting and how the outlet tackled an underreported issue. One judge raved about the storytelling: “The narrative is compelling. I love how naturally it flows, like reading a book, and how it carries a personal stake as well.”

Read the Winning Work

The editor of a New York City newspaper bullied reporters for years. Then, he was promoted.

New York editor no longer employed following Objective investigation