Associated Press
“World of Opera” host Lisa Simeone will keep her job with the show, which is produced by a North Carolina NPR member station, but it is unclear whether the public radio network will continue to distribute the program after it was revealed Simeone has been a spokesperson for an “Occupy Wall Street” protest in Washington, D.C.:
On Thursday, NPR spokeswoman Anna Christopher said the network’s code of ethics applies to cultural programs it distributes, such as “World of Opera,” as well as to news shows it produces, acquires or distributes.
“We are not her employer, but she is a host for a show that we distribute,” Christopher said. “She’s a public person who represents NPR and public radio.” …
On Wednesday, Simeone was fired from her job with “Soundprint,” an independently produced show that airs on American University’s WAMU. That station’s news director said he expects everyone who works on their shows to abide by NPR’s ethics code, which says that journalists ” ‘may not participate in marches and rallies’ involving issues NPR covers.”
George Washington University professor Nikki Usher tells the AP:
“All press organizations should face this level of scrutiny… Unfortunately, the situation surrounding public broadcast funding means NPR must hold itself to additional scrutiny.”
NPR and its funding have been under fire since the firing of Juan Williams, which was followed by several high-profile resignations. || Previously: NPR host fired from one show, remains as host of a second
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