[Pharmboy]

If they cared a whit about journalism, ethics or fairness, of course they would fire him; but since they don't, they won't.

[Humbug]

If they cared a whit about journalism, ethics or fairness, of course they would fire him; but since they don't, they won't.

You're right. Regardless what happens from this point forward, they have essentially admitted to the world that they don't care about those things. If they did, they would have fired him that morning or at the very least placed him on suspension. They could still fire him, but that would only be due to external pressure and not because of integrity.