The host of a US National Public Radio programme of opera, Lisa Simeone, has been fired by NPR for involving herself in #Occupy demonstrations in Washington.
That’s right, opera.
Her station is standing by her, and will try to distribute the nationally-syndicated programme directly. Good to see.
North Carolina-based classical music station WDAV, which produces the show, said it will distribute the nationally syndicated program on its own beginning Nov. 11. The station said it plans to keep Lisa Simeone as host and has said her involvement in a political protest does not affect her job as a music program host.
Here, meanwhile, is NPR’s mendacious excuse-making:
NPR spokeswoman Dana Davis Rehm said the network disagrees with the station on the role of program hosts but respects its position.
“Our view is it’s a potential conflict of interest for any journalist or any individual who plays a public role on behalf of NPR to take an active part in a political movement or advocacy campaign,” she told The Associated Press. “Doing so has the potential to compromise our reputation as an organization that strives to be impartial and unbiased.”
Political organizing and opera. A “potential conflict of interest.”
Feel the wingnut pressure here? It’s palpable.
Closer to home, readers will note that the link to the CBC site and its critique of Quebecor is no longer working, since yesterday and as of this writing. Glitch? Too much traffic? DOS attack? Cave-in?
Have the thugs won? This could get interesting.
[H/t mattt and nationalnewswatch]