Wednesday, February 20, 2008
CNN Producer Claims He Was Fired for Blogging
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deusexmalcontent.com
Chez Pazienza claims this personal blog got him fired from CNN. |
On Feb. 13,
Chez Pazienza blogged that he'd just been fired as a senior producer for CNN's
American Morning. Why? For blogging. He offered
more details on the incident yesterday.
A New York Times story on the firing noted: "Barbara Levin, a spokeswoman for CNN, said she could not discuss specifics because the network does not comment on personnel matters, but she said in a statement, 'CNN has a policy that says employees must first get permission to write for a non-CNN outlet.'"
Pazienza's personal blog, Deus Ex Malcontent, is spirited and opinionated -- but does it really constitute an ethical breach worthy of dismissal? Is a news org employee's personal blog constitutionally protected free speech, or a competitive concern? What about if news employees choose to comment publicly on blogs, forums, Facebook, etc.? Where do you draw the line?
It seems to me that as the media landscape shifts toward becoming more open, conversational, and personal, it's unreasonable and even counterproductive to ask or expect journalists (or anyone, really) not to participate. These days, if you're "in the media," failure to engage and participate in a transparent way online can seriously undermine your credibility -- or at least your perceived relevance.
Tidbits contributor Tish Grier observed: "The irony is that right now CNN also is stepping up its iReport citizen journalism," recently giving that project its own site.
What policies, if any, does your news org have concerning blogging or other kinds of independent online publishing? Please post those policies below -- in the official language used, if possible. What do you think of these policies and how they're enforced? Speak up!
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