(LifeSiteNews) — Dear LifeSiteNews Readers and Supporters,
In light of the recent announcement regarding John-Henry Westen’s departure as CEO and Editor-in-Chief, I wish to address the speculation surrounding this decision and provide clarity on behalf of LifeSiteNews. The board’s decision was made with careful deliberation, much prayer, and a steadfast commitment to our mission of promoting truth, life, and family values. We acknowledge the significant online speculation, much of which has been inaccurate, and we are very grateful to Bishop Joseph Strickland for his public statement calling out these misconceptions.
While legal constraints prevent us from delving into extensive detail, I can share that the decision was influenced by several factors, including a 72% drop in readership from 2021 to 2024 during John-Henry’s tenure as CEO, a decline in monthly and new donors, and other business challenges. Additionally, an internal survey revealed significant concerns regarding staff sentiment and safety scores, which further informed the board’s considerations.
We remain deeply grateful to John-Henry for his decades of service and his unwavering dedication to the pro-life cause. LifeSiteNews reaffirms its commitment to its mission of reporting on the four pillars of Life, Faith, Family, and Freedom. As we move forward, I, as one of the co-founders and now co-CEO of LifeSiteNews, will continue to guide the organization. We are dedicated to strengthening our mission and serving you, our readers, with uncensored reporting. We ask for your continued prayers and support during this transition.
Sincerely,
Steve Jalsevac
Co-Founder and Co-CEO, LifeSiteNews
