The Hollywood Reporter announced yesterday:
Veteran entertainment reporter and columnist Roger Friedman is joining The Hollywood Reporter as a senior correspondent.
Based in New York, Friedman brings with him more than two decades of experience — including access to stars and the people who make them. He will continue his online 24/7 ShowBiz411 blog — which will now move to THR’s stable of blogs including The Live Feed, Risky Business and THR, Esq. In addition, he’ll provide breaking news for THR.com and occasional longer pieces for the daily newspaper as well as appear in THR video products and at THR-branded events. He also will play a key role in THR’s multiplatform coverage of the Oscars, the Emmys, the Tonys and the Grammys.
“To have such an experienced and respected journalist as part of our entertainment team will be a major asset for Nielsen Business Media,” THR publisher Eric Mika said.
Added THR editor Elizabeth Guider: “For some time, THR has wanted to beef up its coverage of the celebrity world and how it intersects with and influences the business of showbusiness. Bringing Roger on board gives us a great leg up in that effort and will help extend our audience reach.”
Friedman created and wrote the daily Fox411 column at FoxNews.com beginning in 1999….
The THR piece omits all mention of Friedman’s reviewing of a pirated, unfinished copy of Wolverine last month at Fox411 and his subsequent firing from Fox for doing so.
The OFCS has a firm anti-piracy stance for its membership, and is disappointed to see that a major industry newspaper appears to be promoting piracy by hiring Friedman.
