A senior Bloomberg News journalist quit his role earlier this month, saying the "mishandling" by his bosses of a story critical of China was behind his departure, amid suggestions that the New York-based company is pushing a financial strategy for China that overshadows editorial autonomy. Asia Editor-at-Large Ben Richardson left the news organization at the beginning of March in protest at his senior colleagues' approach toward a long-running investigative piece that sought to expose hidden financial ties between the families of Chinese officials and a wealthy businessman. The New York Times, amongst others, first covered the story of the piece's non-publishing in November of last year.
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Bloomberg editor-at-large Ben Richardson leaves company, saying "top brass" mishandled sensitive story
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News organization claims the story wasn't ready for publication, a claim disputed by Richardson
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Sales of terminals in China and access to Chinese financial data may influence editorial decisions
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Move follows other international news organizations running afoul of Chinese authorities
Ben Richardson
Ben Richardson
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The piece, which was produced over several months in 2013, was due to be published late last year but "ran into some opposition" from senior staff, according to @placeholder.