NPR's Ron Schiller ousted after another sting by O'Keefe

[Throckmorton]

Opinions don't belong on NPR? That is your opinion

Their opinion section should be held to a higher standard than some random blog on the internet.

And technically, no, some opinions don't belong on NPR. Juan Williams admitted his subconscious reaction to men wearing "traditional" white dresses and skullcaps so that he could explain why prejudging Muslims is wrong, and he was fired for it.

The NPR ombudsman agreed with me http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2010/01/loud_protests_on_nprs_tea_part_1.html

That said, there are problems with the Tea Bag animation. Chief among them is it doesn't fit with NPR values, one of which is a belief in civility and civil discourse.
Fiore is talented, but this cartoon is just a mean-spirited attack on people who think differently than he does and doesn't broaden the debate. It engages in the same kind of name-calling the cartoon supposedly mocks.

 

[OutHouse]

Nobody cares.

no you just dont. the truth is that a lot of people care an 2 execes at NPR got canned over it.

 

[theeedude]

Their opinion section should be held to a higher standard than some random blog on the internet.

And technically, no, some opinions don't belong on NPR. Juan Williams admitted his subconscious reaction to men wearing "traditional" white dresses and skullcaps so that he could explain why prejudging Muslims is wrong, and he was fired for it.

The NPR ombudsman agreed with me http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2010/01/loud_protests_on_nprs_tea_part_1.html

Political correctness strikes again.

 

[davmat787]

That is the rightwing whacko argument, no doubt.

If you think Fern's comment is an example of "whacko", you obviously have not, or will not, occupy a position of authority or representation. And keep saying there is nothing to see here, smarter people usually see a fire where there is smoke.

Once again, Fern rises up above the partisan BS...

 

[IBMer]

Once again, Fern rises up above the partisan BS...

lol

 

[Linflas]

That is the rightwing whacko argument, no doubt.
On the other hand, if NPR bashers resort to these sorts of underhanded tactics, why should they be trusted?

Funny how all the people in this thread bitching about the tactics seemingly approved of using a similar tactic here. Once again if not for double standards...

 

[Thump553]

There's a pretty substantial difference, Linflas. Walker not only didn't apologize and didn't resign (unlike the NPR case) and he immediately rammed through a new statute making such taping illegal in Wisconsin. Not to mention the NPR tape is heavily edited by a person who has a known track record of grossly distorting them. Personally I think the hypocirisy is on the other side.

Frankly, I think the whole thing is a tempest in a teapot and I'm disgusted that NPR folded like a wet tissue. Anyone who has ever dealt with fundraisers (or any type of salesman) knows they slant their presentation to their audience and this guy was dealing with some purported Muslim potential donors.
Frankly I'm u

 

[theeedude]

Funny how all the people in this thread bitching about the tactics seemingly approved of using a similar tactic here. Once again if not for double standards...

That was on elected official, this was on private citizen.
Same old Republican dirty tricks campaign.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

ooops...wrong thread

 

[theeedude]

Looks like GOP chickened out on defunding NPR in the continuing resolution, as expected.

 

[monovillage]

It seems that Betsy Liley is also on "administrative leave" and that the interim CEO of NPR, Joyce Slocum, was aware that the $5 million donation from a group with ties to the Islamic Brotherhood.

"The new video includes recordings of phone conversations between NPR executive Betsy Liley and an activist posing as a member of a phony group with ties to the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood. The two discuss the logistics of a potential $5 million donation from the group to NPR and the ways in which it could be kept anonymous and shielded from government scrutiny.

NPR says it never came close to accepting the money because the phony group did not meet its standards for potential donors. Liley has been placed on administrative leave.

Liley says in the video that Schiller and Slocum, then NPR's general counsel, were aware of the potential $5 million donation from the group, which called itself the Muslim Education Action Center and said on its website that its goal was "to spread acceptance of Sharia across the world." "

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...ME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-03-10-17-46-37

It's not only the conservatives that see some major problems revealed by this sting, but the NPR as well.

 

[DesiPower]

It seems that Betsy Liley is also on "administrative leave" and that the interim CEO of NPR, Joyce Slocum, was aware that the $5 million donation from a group with ties to the Islamic Brotherhood.

"The new video includes recordings of phone conversations between NPR executive Betsy Liley and an activist posing as a member of a phony group with ties to the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood. The two discuss the logistics of a potential $5 million donation from the group to NPR and the ways in which it could be kept anonymous and shielded from government scrutiny.

NPR says it never came close to accepting the money because the phony group did not meet its standards for potential donors. Liley has been placed on administrative leave.

Liley says in the video that Schiller and Slocum, then NPR's general counsel, were aware of the potential $5 million donation from the group, which called itself the Muslim Education Action Center and said on its website that its goal was "to spread acceptance of Sharia across the world." "

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...ME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2011-03-10-17-46-37

It's not only the conservatives that see some major problems revealed by this sting, but the NPR as well.

wow... looks like major fallout...

 

[OutHouse]

It's not only the conservatives that see some major problems revealed by this sting, but the NPR as well.

but the shills in here claim is no big deal....

 

[davmat787]

but the shills in here claim is no big deal....

 

[davmat787]

I was thinking, why doesn't NPR have a real soul searching as to what a National Public Radio truly should be. Most people have a problem with our primary news sources, maybe NPR should analyze this problem, and try a different approach.

Aim for a new standard.

 

[sandorski]

I was thinking, why doesn't NPR have a real soul searching as to what a National Public Radio truly should be. Most people have a problem with our primary news sources, maybe NPR should analyze this problem, and try a different approach.

Aim for a new standard.

WTF are you talking about? They already are a new standard.

 

[sandorski]

but the shills in here claim is no big deal....

What problems(major or otherwise)?

 

[davmat787]

What problems(major or otherwise)?

Oh, you don't listen to NPR do you? THIS:

"NPR journalists denounce former executive's 'tea party' remarks
On-air personalities Robert Siegel, Scott Simon, Renee Montagne and others call Ron Schiller's videotaped comments 'offensive' in an open letter to listeners."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-npr-open-letter,0,3258720.story

 

[comptr6]

Oh, you don't listen to NPR do you? THIS:

"NPR journalists denounce former executive's 'tea party' remarks
On-air personalities Robert Siegel, Scott Simon, Renee Montagne and others call Ron Schiller's videotaped comments 'offensive' in an open letter to listeners."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-npr-open-letter,0,3258720.story

Wow, that's disgusting. And libtards claim NPR isn't biased lol! I hope Congress does a thorough investigation into this and finds out whats really going on there.

 

[sandorski]

Oh, you don't listen to NPR do you? THIS:

"NPR journalists denounce former executive's 'tea party' remarks
On-air personalities Robert Siegel, Scott Simon, Renee Montagne and others call Ron Schiller's videotaped comments 'offensive' in an open letter to listeners."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-npr-open-letter,0,3258720.story

Where's the problem? All I see are a few acting PC in order not to possibly Offend anyone. What in this incident is a black mark on NPR?

 

[PokerGuy]

What in this incident is a black mark on NPR?

You must be very dumb to not realize something like this tarnishes the image of NPR and damages their reputation and credibility as an "unbiased" source of news. Clearly, NPR sees this as well, which is why they are in major damage control mode.

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

What problems(major or otherwise)?

Seriously? I guess it's not surprising that you would perceive this as a nonissue...here's 20 people who think otherwise.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/10/AR2011031005897.html
Dear Listeners and Supporters,

We, and our colleagues at NPR News, strive every day to bring you the highest quality news programs possible. So, like you, we were appalled by the offensive comments made recently by NPR's now former Senior Vice President for Development. His words violated the basic principles by which we live and work: accuracy and open-mindedness, fairness and respect.

Those comments have done real damage to NPR. But we're confident that the culture of professionalism we have built, and the journalistic values we have upheld for the past four decades, will prevail. We are determined to continue bringing you the daily journalism that you've come to expect and rely upon: fair, fact-based, in-depth reporting from at home and around the world.

With your support we have no doubt NPR will come out of this difficult period stronger than ever.

Thank you,

Robert Siegel
Michele Norris
Melissa Block
Renee Montagne
Scott Simon
Liane Hansen
Guy Raz
Michel Martin
Neal Conan
Susan Stamberg
Nina Totenberg
Linda Wertheimer
Daniel Zwerdling
John Ydstie
Richard Harris
Tom Gjelten
Howard Berkes
Mike Shuster
Laura Sullivan
Lynn Neary
Jacki Lyden
Mara Liasson
Cokie Roberts
John Burnett

 

[Tom]

You must be very dumb to not realize something like this tarnishes the image of NPR and damages their reputation and credibility as an "unbiased" source of news. Clearly, NPR sees this as well, which is why they are in major damage control mode.

If you think they should have done nothing then this tarnishes their image.

Since they did do something I think this enhances their image.

 

[HomerJS]

If this is such a big deal why does Glen Beck still have a job after stating on the air President Obama hates white people. Agree or disagree this guy was expressing a personal opinion

 

[Doc Savage Fan]

If you think they should have done nothing then this tarnishes their image.

Since they did do something I think this enhances their image.

This isn't just about Ron Schiller...it's also about Vivian Schiller, Betsy Liley and the apparent management 'culture' at NPR that's tainting their image.