In a memo to staffers Tuesday morning, New Republic publisher Hamilton Fish announced that Eric Bates would be assuming the role of editor of the 101-year-old opinion journal. Bates is a well-traveled journalist, having served as executive editor of Rolling Stone as well as a prominent role with Pierre Omidyar’s First Look Media, home to the Intercept.
Fish’s announcement gave a history of Bates. “As executive editor of Rolling Stone for nearly a decade, Eric oversaw the magazine’s feature writing and political reporting, helping to reestablish the publication as a respected source of in-depth journalism and narrative storytelling,” wrote Fish. “As investigative editor of Mother Jones and editor in chief of Southern Exposure, he fashioned publications known for their combination of editorial integrity, incisive essays, groundbreaking investigations and diverse voices. In 2014, he oversaw the launch of The Intercept, and directed the website’s reporting on classified documents leaked by Edward Snowden.”
As for Bates’s responsibilities, Fish wrote, “Eric will lead the day-to-day editorial operations across the magazine, our website and all related platforms.” Bolding added to highlight the reality that Bates will do all the dirty work of running a magazine and its website. Who will chip in with vision and perhaps some meddling? Winthrop McCormack, the Democratic donor who purchased the journal from Facebook multimillionaire Chris Hughes — after Hughes grew tired of subsidizing the publication. According to Fish’s memo, McCormack will serve as editor in chief, and Bates will report directly to him.
The structure is a reversion to the old days of the New Republic, when Marty Peretz served as both editor in chief and chairman, asserting his authority in both the business and editorial sides of the operation. Peretz wrote frequently for the magazine and didn’t hesitate to intervene in editorial affairs at his pleasure. “Marty Peretz micromanaged the editorial side of the New Republic,” recalls Charles Lane, a former editor of the publication (and a colleague of the Erik Wemple Blog).
With his background in big features and investigative stories, Bates is a fine choice for the New Republic. Among his notable projects was “The Runaway General,” that headline-grabbing 2010 Rolling Stone story by Michael Hastings that sidetracked the career of Gen. Stanley McChrystal. A single scoop of that magnitude would do wonders for the New Republic.
Gabriel Snyder, the last editor to serve under the Hughes regime, announced his departure in mid-April.
On Tuesday, Bates will address New Republic staffers. More to come on this story.