Occupation blues
Caitlin Curran is the second U.S. journalist fired for joining the Occupy protests, although she claims she held up a protest sign as part of a reporting exercise. Lisa Simeone, host of an opera program on NPR, was fired earlier, despite her argument that opera is removed enough from current events that civic participation isn’t a conflict of interest. The ‘journalist-activist’ is a leading figure in democratic struggles and popular movements around the world – but these two cases quickly pushed the limits within the current North American context.
Meanwhile, commentator Shannon Rupp notes the irony of a ‘Big Media’ call-out for citizen journalists – including the bigger irony that some occupiers will likely respond, providing free content to the corporations they protest against. Nick Fillmore argues that if corporate media isn’t giving protestors a fair hearing, the answer is stepped-up support for independent media. Finally, David Carr asks wage-slaving journos: why not occupy newsrooms?
Anybody bring a tent? When does the drum circle start?
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Patricia W. Elliott is a magazine journalist and assistant professor at the School of Journalism, University of Regina. You can visit her at patriciaelliott.ca.
November 4, 2011
While I have some concerns
While I have some concerns over the way NPR handled this, the principle of journalists remaining neutral is still a good one. Lisa Simeone (who is a friend and a great broadcaster) was also the host of a documentary series called "Soundprint." Her role on that program and her role as spokesperson for the Occupy movement are in conflict and NPR was right to ensure that does not happen.
I'm less convinced that "World Of Opera" was in any danger of being a political broadcast because of Lisa's presence. As we told the few journalists at NPR who objected to the policy, "You have a first amendment right to your opinions. You don't have a first amendment right to work at NPR."