James R. Whelan (July 27, 1933 – December 1, 2012) was a journalist and historian who served as the first editor in chief of The Washington Times, holding the position from 1982 to 1984.
[1] Whelan began his career in journalism in 1952, much of which he spent in Latin America, including Chile, Mexico, and Venezuela.
In 1982, Whelan resigned from The Sacramento Union[4] to work at the newly created Washington Times, serving as its first editor in chief and publisher.
[7] Whelen had initially rejected the offer to work at the new publication, but a persistent recruiting effort from Colonel Bo Hi Pak eventually changed his mind.
[11] At a news conference, Whelan claimed that "senior members of the Unification Church Movement—the so-called Moonies—have seized direct control" of The Washington Times, and that this led to his sacking by Bo Hi Pak.