Veteran Columnist Fired, Lands New Gig at Top Radio Station

Jim Shaw vows to continue speaking truth to power after being let go from Forum Communications.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:57pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A solitary microphone stand in a dimly lit, empty radio studio, the warm light and deep shadows creating a contemplative, cinematic atmosphere that evokes the weight of journalistic responsibility.The firing of veteran columnist Jim Shaw highlights the challenges facing journalists who aim to provide critical commentary on political issues.Fargo Today

Jim Shaw, a veteran columnist in Fargo, North Dakota, was recently fired from his longtime position at Forum Communications. However, Shaw has quickly landed a new role writing for the top radio station in the region, KFGO. In his first column for the new platform, Shaw discusses his dismissal, which he believes was an "ideological purge" by the newspaper, as well as his plans to continue being a voice for the voiceless and holding politicians accountable from both parties.

Why it matters

Shaw's firing from Forum Communications highlights the ongoing challenges facing journalists and columnists who aim to provide critical commentary on political issues, especially when it involves scrutinizing the actions of powerful figures. His move to KFGO represents an opportunity for him to maintain his platform and continue speaking out on important topics without the editorial constraints he faced at his previous employer.

The details

After 33 years of writing a popular column for Forum Communications, Shaw was suddenly fired, along with two other like-minded columnists. He believes this was due to the company's directive to only write about local issues or local angles of national stories, which Shaw says he complied with by addressing the chaos and cruelty caused by the Trump administration. However, the Forum editor denied that the firings were about saving money, leading Shaw to conclude it was an "ideological purge." Undeterred, Shaw has now joined KFGO, a top radio station in the region, where he will have more editorial freedom to discuss any topic he chooses without word count limits or advance submission requirements.

  • On the day after Donald Trump was re-elected, Forum columnists received an email telling them to only write about local issues or local angles of national issues.
  • Four days after Trump was sworn into his second term, Forum columnists received a second email reminding them of this policy.
  • Shortly after, Shaw, along with columnists Jack Zaleski and Joan Brickner, were fired from Forum Communications.

The players

Jim Shaw

A veteran newsman and journalist based in Fargo, North Dakota, who was fired from his longtime columnist position at Forum Communications.

Jack Zaleski

A columnist who was also fired from Forum Communications, along with Jim Shaw and Joan Brickner, in what Shaw describes as an "ideological purge."

Joan Brickner

A columnist who was also fired from Forum Communications, along with Jim Shaw and Jack Zaleski, in what Shaw describes as an "ideological purge."

Forum Communications

The media company that fired Jim Shaw, Jack Zaleski, and Joan Brickner from their columnist positions.

KFGO

The top radio station in North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota, where Jim Shaw has now landed a new writing role.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As Jack called it, it was an ideological purge.”

— Jim Shaw, Columnist

“The Forum editor told me it was not about saving money.”

— Jim Shaw, Columnist

What’s next

Shaw plans to continue being a voice for the voiceless and holding politicians accountable from both parties in his new role at KFGO, where he will have more editorial freedom than he did at his previous employer.

The takeaway

Jim Shaw's firing from Forum Communications and his subsequent move to KFGO highlights the ongoing challenges facing journalists and columnists who aim to provide critical commentary on political issues, especially when it involves scrutinizing the actions of powerful figures. His new platform at KFGO represents an opportunity for him to maintain his voice and continue speaking truth to power without the editorial constraints he faced at his previous employer.