Former Billboard editors file suit

Two top Billboard editors who left the music industry’s venerable trade publication in May have filed a lawsuit that seeks about $30 million in damages and, along with allegations of discrimination and harassment, claims that the magazine’s publisher routinely defanged negative coverage of record labels.

The claims by former Editor-in-Chief Keith Girard and former senior editor Samantha Chang portray an environment in which crude comments and leadership attitudes promoted race and gender discrimination and harassment. The suit also alleges that publisher John Kilcullen ran roughshod over the independent voice of the magazine’s editorial department.

A spokeswoman for Billboard said Friday that the company and its leadership do not comment on pending litigation.

The suit alleges Kilcullen chided Girard to remember that he should be “a brand steward” and to “avoid writing provocative headlines or employing photos and cartoons that are not in the best interest” of keeping the magazine attractive to its music industry advertisers.

-- Geoff Boucher