DEFENDING A JOURNALIST FIRED FOR HIS RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
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Today, in Newton, Iowa, Liberty Institute attorneys filed an official charge of discrimination on behalf of former newspaper editor-in-chief Bob Eschliman—who was fired by Shaw Media, owner of Newton Daily News, because of his religious beliefs.
Eschliman had been sharing his personal thoughts and writings for years, before working at Newton Daily News, in private blog posts. This spring he wrote about his religious beliefs regarding Holy Scripture and the institution of marriage. When his employer learned of the blog post, Shaw Media placed Eschliman on indefinite paid suspension while it purportedly investigated the matter. Then, on May 5, 2014, Shaw Media summarily fired and immediately escorted Eschliman out of the building—without being permitted to gather his personal effects from his office.
Eschliman filed today an official charge of discrimination with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in Des Moines, Iowa. The EEOC will begin an independent investigation of Eschliman’s charges of religious discrimination and retaliation. And if the EEOC determines that Shaw Media is guilty of religious discrimination, it may order broad relief, including back pay, front pay, and other significant damages for the unlawful conduct of Eschliman’s former employer.
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