Re: Juan Williams, from NPR

[1gobluedem]

I work for an NPR affiliate; by making those remarks regarding Muslims, Juan Williams violated the terms of his contract. Following is an excerpt from a letter from NPR's president (bold is mine):

"First, a critical distinction has been lost in this debate. NPR News analysts have a distinctive role and set of responsibilities. This is a very different role than that of a commentator or columnist. News analysts may not take personal public positions on controversial issues; doing so undermines their credibility as analysts, and that’s what’s happened in this situation. As you all well know, we offer views of all kinds on your air every day, but those views are expressed by those we interview – not our reporters and analysts.

Second, this isn’t the first time we have had serious concerns about some of Juan’s public comments. Despite many conversations and warnings over the years, Juan has continued to violate this principal (sic).

Third, these specific comments (and others made in the past), are inconsistent with NPR’s ethics code, which applies to all journalists (including contracted analysts):

“In appearing on TV or other media . . . NPR journalists should not express views they would not air in their role as an NPR journalist. They should not participate in shows . . . that encourage punditry and speculation rather than fact-based analysis.”

More fundamentally, “In appearing on TV or other media including electronic Web-based forums, NPR journalists should not express views they would not air in their role as an NPR journalist.”

Unfortunately, Juan’s comments on Fox violated our standards as well as our values and offended many in doing so.

We’re profoundly sorry that this happened during fundraising week. Juan’s comments were made Monday night and we did not feel it would be responsible to delay this action.

This was a tough decision and we appreciate your support."

[bluethruandthru]

1. Too bad all "journalists" don't adhere to these kinds of rules! n/t

[FSogol]

2. Thou shall not say anything controversial during Fundraising week

:shrug:

[1gobluedem]

3. Some member stations that are trying to fundraise are getting some flak

And, since member stations weren't involved in this decision, it's hard on them to lose funds for something they weren't involved with. Happened with Bob Edwards too.

[FSogol]

4. Now, if they would just fire Diane Rehm for writing that book about her long-haired Chihuahua.

:shrug:

[Ramulux]

5. WTF

According to these rules Juan should have been fired multiple times over the past few years.

[pansypoo53219]

6. now we need kookie roberts

and mara liesalot to go over the line.
i will not miss WAAAAAAAAAAAAN williams.

[county worker]

7. Why is The Public Notice, a NPR sponsor?

http://peristaltor.livejournal.com/161359.html

Talking Points Memo delivers:


A former Bush administration PR specialist has launched a new non-profit designed to raise the alarm about what it sees as "over-spending" in Washington -- but is staying mum on how the group is being funded. . . .

Public Notice's funding source remains obscure. In an interview with TPMmuckraker, Hamel -- who served as the Bush administration's top spokesperson on trade issues, and as press secretary for the House Republican Conference -- said Public Notice had "dozens of donors across the U.S.," but declined to identify them. "We will not be disclosing our donors," she said. "We want to protect the anonymity of our donors," she added, noting that other organizations of all political stripes take a similar stance.


So "dozens of donors" are able to pony up anonymous cash for a slick PR foundation to release press pieces and produce videos all bemoaning the behemoth that has become the federal government . . . and force NPR -- an agency partially funded by the federal government -- to promote this activity.

That September 8 Morning Edition spot might as well have said:


Funding for this public radio programming comes from The Public Notice, an agency that would like to kill and bury public radio.


The Public Notice is, folks, just another right-wing Overton Window shifty agency following Lewis Powell's now infamous script. Had they been truly non-partisan, they would have been formed back when federal spending got truly egregious and out of control . . . under Reagan.

Furthermore, let's face the most obvious problem with The Public Notice's tactics: They completely ignore the alternative to cutting federal spending; raising taxes to levels that can sustain the spending. Funny thing, so did that pair of stories on Morning Edition.

And I have yet to hear about restoring that NPR Planet Money piece where just about everyone asks about taxes in Denmark says they are a good thing. Strange that almost all of it should so conveniently disappear, isn't it? I'll give the national ombudsman a few days to catch up on what is probably a deluge of letters just like mine . . . perhaps generated for the same reasons.

[Turborama]

8. K&R This is required reading for anyone who questions why NPR sacked him

However, as someone else has pointed out, it's amazing that they let him get away with violating their ethics code by going on fiction based Faux 'news' shows as a pundit for such a long time.

"They should not participate in shows . . . that encourage punditry and speculation rather than fact-based analysis."

[BrklynLiberal]

9. Best news I have heard in a while. Now he can stick with FAUX NOISE..where he belongs.

Personally, I am thrilled that NPR dumped that asshole Williams. Almost restores my faith in NPR.
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[NoSheep]

10. Thanks for posting this.

[spanone]

11. he violated human standards.....he's already safe in the arms of faux

[Turborama]

12. And we now know how much they pay him

Not bad for about 5 minutes "work" every other day: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4583246

[Turborama]

13. .

:kick: for anyone who may have missed it.