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3 West Virginia reporters who condemned interview of ex-coal CEO fired

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Three newspaper reporters in West Virginia say they have been fired after publicly criticizing their company’s video interview with a convicted former coal executive.

Charleston Gazette-Mail reporters Caity Coyne, Lacie Pierson and Ryan Quinn confirmed their dismissals.

The video feature is posted regularly on the Gazette-Mail’s website and hosted by HD Media President and state lawmaker Doug Skaff.

The interview is with Don Blankenship, ex-CEO of Massey Energy. Massey owned a mine where a 2010 explosion killed 29 in southern West Virginia.

Blankenship was sentenced to a year in federal prison for a misdemeanor safety violation in connection with the disaster.