Well-known and popular political commentator Mark Plotkin has been fired by WTOP radio for “personnel issues,” according to Jim Farley, the station’s vice president of news and programming. Plotkin had been with WTOP for ten years and hosted the weekly Politics Program With Mark Plotkin. He is friend to many of the city’s political leaders.
The firing happened today. In an interview, Farley said, “We have parted ways. His show was canceled. It will be replaced by news.” When pressed about the “personnel issue,” Farley said, “It’s the kind you can’t comment on.” But he did say the decision came from management, had nothing to do with any demands, was not an economic cut, and that Plotkin “was doing a fine job, and it has nothing to do with competition.”
Farley also said the issue had been “brewing” for a while.
Given that this is a presidential election year, we wondered if Farley would quickly try to fill Plotkin’s slot with a new political commentator. “Yes, eventually,” he told us, “but we have strategic partnerships with Politico, CBS, and CNN. We have an abundance of riches when it comes to political coverage.”
Finally, he said that the firing “was done without rancor. Mark and I are still friends.” There was a severance package included.
Calls for comment from Plotkin have not yet been returned.
Jim Farley Explains the Mark Plotkin Firing at WTOP
The station’s vice president of news and programming talks about the decision to get rid of the popular radio host.
Well-known and popular political commentator Mark Plotkin has been fired by WTOP radio for “personnel issues,” according to Jim Farley, the station’s vice president of news and programming. Plotkin had been with WTOP for ten years and hosted the weekly Politics Program With Mark Plotkin. He is friend to many of the city’s political leaders.
The firing happened today. In an interview, Farley said, “We have parted ways. His show was canceled. It will be replaced by news.” When pressed about the “personnel issue,” Farley said, “It’s the kind you can’t comment on.” But he did say the decision came from management, had nothing to do with any demands, was not an economic cut, and that Plotkin “was doing a fine job, and it has nothing to do with competition.”
Farley also said the issue had been “brewing” for a while.
Given that this is a presidential election year, we wondered if Farley would quickly try to fill Plotkin’s slot with a new political commentator. “Yes, eventually,” he told us, “but we have strategic partnerships with Politico, CBS, and CNN. We have an abundance of riches when it comes to political coverage.”
Finally, he said that the firing “was done without rancor. Mark and I are still friends.” There was a severance package included.
Calls for comment from Plotkin have not yet been returned.
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
Meet the 2023 Washingtonians of the Year
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Washingtonian Magazine
May 2024: Great Getaways
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
Former Fiola GM Convicted of Murder Is Now in a Netflix Docuseries
These 5 DC Traffic Cams Are Issuing the Most Tickets Right Now
Farewell to Crystal City Underground, the DC Area’s Strangest Mall
Washington DC’s 500 Most Influential People of 2024
Inside the Urgent Effort to Preserve Black Newspapers
Maryland Has Renamed an Invasive Fish. Will It Matter?
Meet the 2024 Washington Women in Journalism Award Winners
In the Doghouse: Kristi Noem and 5 Other Canine Political Scandals