TechCrunch founder tells AOL: Independence from Huffpo - or sell us back the website
IN what look like an ultimatum to AOL, Michael Arrington makes his case. It may be his last post on the acclaimed website, he says - but if so, "it's a cool way to exit"
1. Reaffirmation of the editorial independence promised at the time of acquisition by AOL.
"Given the current circumstances, that means autonomy from Huffington Post, unfettered editorial independence and a blanket right to editorial self determination," said Arrington. " To put it simply, TechCrunch would stay with AOL but would be independent of the Huffington Post." OR, suggested Arrington: 2. Sell TechCrunch back to the original shareholders. Ironically in Time magazine in 2009, Arianna Huffington wrote admiringly of Arrington ,"Via his TechCrunch blog,he has become one of the most influential figures on the Web, is the quintessential blogger: intense, passionate, consumed with his subject, opinionated, sleep-deprived, forward-thinking, easy to irritate and apt to air his grudges in public."In his post, Arrington said there was way too much confusion about his status at TechCrunch and TechCrunch’s status at Aol after last week’s announcement that he was launching a venture fund, partially backed by AOL. "The multiple conflicting statements made by AOL on Thursday and Friday of last week are evidence of that confusion, but that isn’t the core issue. My employment relationship with TechCrunch and AOL is not the core issue. The only issue being discussed at this point, the only issue that matters, is TechCrunch editorial independence and self determination, regardless of my role, if any, going forward." Arrington said he believe AOL should be "held to their promise when they acquired us to give TechCrunch complete editorial independence. "As of late last week TechCrunch no longer has editorial independence. Some argue that the circumstances demanded it. "I disagree. Editorial independence was never supposed to be an easy thing for AOL to give us. But it was never meaningful if it shatters the first time it is put to the test." Arrington concluded that if AOL cannot accept either of the options above - and no other creative solution can be found, "I cannot be a part of TechCrunch going forward." "Apologies on the corny image. It just reflects exactly how we feel right now. And if this ends up being my last post on TechCrunch, that image is a cool way to exit."