Editor at Channel 39 Resigns Over News-Policy Differences

In the latest in a long line of shake-ups at KNSD-TV (Channel 39), chief assignment editor Eric Hulnick resigned Monday, blaming differences in news philosophy with management at the NBC affiliate.

Sources at the station portrayed Hulnick, chief assignment editor for four years, as a believer in “traditional” news who has been upset with the station’s news direction for several weeks. He reportedly objected to the decisions not to actively cover certain stories, such as the David Lucas murder trial.

The station was criticized last week for allowing reporter Paul Bloom to arrange for the arrest of a parole violator he had contacted on the pretense of conducting an interview.

Reached at home Monday night, Hulnick refused to comment on specifics of his decision, as part of an agreement he made with the station.

“I just didn’t agree with some of the things going on,” he said.

According to one reporter at the station who asked not to be identified, Hulnick “had a different view of what is news. He’s a traditional kind of news guy, and we’re looking at a change of philosophy here.”

The station has laid off several reporters in recent weeks. Within the last six months, it has gone through a major identity change under new owner Gillett Communications, including changing the station’s call letters and starting a variety of new programs.