Radio Host Fired for Protesting Wall Street

Lisa Simeone was fired Wednesday from “Soundprint,” an independently produced documentary show that airs on NPR stations, because she is on the steering committee for the October 2011 Movement. Simeone had been with the program for 15 years.

She continues to host another show, “World of Opera.” That show’s producers defend Simeone, who jokes, “What is NPR afraid I’ll do? Insert a seditious comment into a synopsis of ‘Madame Butterfly’?” However, because the show is distributed by NPR, Simeone may yet be held to the network’s restrictive code of ethics.

NPR prohibits its journalists from marching or participating in political rallies. Simeone, speaking to The Associated Press, denies that she fits that criteria: “I don’t cover news. In none of the shows that I do, do I cover the news.” Judging by an NPR spokeswoman’s response, excerpted below, the network might not see it that way. — PZS

AP via Google:

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.”

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