2-22-2012
In a City that defines who you are by the company you keep, it appears WAMU News Director Jim Asendio just couldn't take it anymore. Asendio quit yesterday, telling the Washington Post he resigned because his reporters were getting together with donors to the station. Asendio believes there should be a wall between reporters and those that contribute money to the station. And when he found out reporters were scheduled to attend an event this week to rub elbows with the donors, he walked.
?When it comes to crossing the firewall, that?s where I draw the line. That questions our credibility and trustworthiness,? Asendio told the Post. The paper writers, "Asendio signaled that he would not attend the event. He says that he then received an e-mail from WAMU General Manager Caryn Mathes. Asendio recounts the wording of the e-mail: ?My refusal to attend a major station event would send an irreversible and permanent statement on whether I was a member of our team.? Strong message right there. ?So, seeing the handwriting on the wall and not wanting to get into any kind of job difficulty, I felt it best to stand on my journalistic ethics and resign.?
Read more HERE at the Washington Post
(2/23/2012 7:17:59 AM)
I'm astonished that WAMU's internal policies didn't prohibit such contacts to begin with.
I think the GM erred massively in judgment in sending such a threat and should resign.
Asendio is right.
But sadly this is indicative of how "public radio" has become mainstream and commercial and hardly independent. Maybe Pacifica is an alternative, but WAMU's standing dropped six notches in my mind.
Bravo!
A man of integrity!
Caryn Mathes, et al, should take a page from his book. Let the folks in the underwriting department attend, but keep editorial sacred and sheltered.
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