Sun reporter Madeleine O’Neill fired; Guild calls action “cowardly”

The Baltimore Sun fired federal courts reporter Madeleine O’Neill on September 9, citing internal criticism of management’s news coverage approach under new ownership.

O’Neill, hired in April, was an active member of The Baltimore Sun Guild but did not have union protection to challenge her termination because she was still on her nine-month probation period.

Sources told the Baltimore Brew and others that O’Neill was outspoken on the newsroom’s Slack channel about perceived declining journalistic standards since Sinclair Broadcast Group chairman David D. Smith‘s acquisition.

The Baltimore Sun Guild issued a statement: “This week an employee and leader in the Baltimore Sun Guild was fired by management because of her outspoken advocacy on behalf of workplace and journalistic standards at the Sun.”

The statement continued, “This cowardly firing of a reporter in their new probationary period is the latest example of David Smith‘s and Armstrong Williams‘ mismanagement of the Sun.”

In a post on X, Sun health reporter Angela Roberts wrote: “I was @MaddiONeill’s union rep at the meeting where she was fired. Nothing was said about her job performance, reporting skills or productivity. To be clear: She was fired because she questioned unethical newsroom decisions and their impact on her ability to do her job.”

Roberts continued: “Maddi is an excellent, smart reporter who deserves so much better than what she got at @baltimoresun. She is not afraid to question authority – even when doing so comes with personal risks. Hire her.”

Managing editor Tricia Bishop, who reportedly informed O’Neill of her termination, stated, “We don’t comment on personnel matters.”