The New York Times has been water cooler gossip for media types after the firing of Jill Abramson. (Alexander Torrenegra/Flickr)

Following days of silence that has turned the media cycle against the paper, the New York Times' publisher, Arthur Sulzberg, Jr., finally issued a statement clarifying his rationale behind the abrupt firing of former executive editor Jill Abramson. 

In the wake of Abramson's termination, the paper has been accused of everything from pay inequality to sexism. In the vacuum of facts — perhaps due to the lack of print space necessary to accommodate such a well-traveled, presumably fit news story — Sulzberg declared "a shallow and factually incorrect storyline has emerged."

Sulzberg dodged all accusations of employer malfeasance, instead opting to trash Abramson's management style with a bizarre statement that veered toward office gossip.

"During her tenure, I heard repeatedly from her newsroom colleagues, women and men, about a series of issues, including arbitrary decision-making, a failure to consult and bring colleagues with her, inadequate communication and the public mistreatment of colleagues." 

Abramson — seen here posing next to a punching bag representing the cruel, male-dominated newsroom culture of the New York Times — has been relatively silent since her ouster. Her daughter's Instagram feed, however, has not.

Reach Editor-in-Chief Will Federman here. And follow him on Twitter.