[idealism]

A media corporation that doesn’t want the bad PR around firing their most recognized employee (and co-founder in this case) need only make the life so difficult for that person that they quit in protest. The ol’ “cold shoulder” routine.

Some people would say “Yep! No foul play! He left totally of his own volition!” while others, not playing this corrupt PR game, will see it as the same thing as firing.