Posted on 09/15/2017 7:05:17 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
ESPN head to staff: ‘ESPN is not a political organization’
By Jesse Byrnes - 09/15/17 08:27 PM EDT
ESPN head to staff: ‘ESPN is not a political organization’
ESPN's chief is defending the network after intense backlash this week, including a stream of White House criticism over anchor Jemele Hill calling President Trump a "white supremacist."
"We have issues of significant debate in our country at this time," ESPN president John Skipper wrote in a memo to staff on Friday reported by multiple media outlets.
"In light of recent events, we need to remind ourselves that we are a journalistic organization and that we should not do anything that undermines that position," he continued, noting, "ESPN is about sports."
"ESPN is not a political organization. Where sports and politics intersect, no one is told what view they must express," he said.
"At the same time, ESPN has values," Skipper continued, writing ESPN is "committed to inclusion and an environment of tolerance where everyone in a diverse work force has the equal opportunity to succeed."
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
"ESPN is not a political organization. Where sports and politics intersect, no one is told what view they must express," he said.
BS.
Bad proof reading on my part. 👎😫😊
Could have fooled us. Look totally political with sports added for spice.
Wanna bet?
Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) tweeted at 6:20 AM on Fri, Sep 15, 2017:
ESPN is paying a really big price for its politics (and bad programming). People are dumping it in RECORD numbers. Apologize for untruth!
(https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/908651641943003136?s=09)
They’re so damn unpolitical and to prove it they put two hipster blacks on in the prime SportsCenter slot to do wink-and-nod stories about NBA thugs trading insults on Twitter.
Her lesbianism was an open secret several years ago. As her profile increased on the channel, the PR types quashed those lines of inquiry.
Do they ever call traveling in the
NBA?
Don't they teach folks in biz school that if you go political you will automatically piss off half your customers. If you are trying to sell football, I am guessing it is more than that.
The only purpose ESPN serves me is as a good example of how a major name brand can drive itself into bankruptcy and out of existence.
No, it’s not a “political organization”.
But they politicize everything, just the same.
Nice try, though.
Time for separation of press and state.
Win, place and show!!!
She’s untouchable...
Diverse? Gimme a break - just how many conservative Americans are 'on-air talent' at ESPN?
Yeah... And neither are the Democrats and the rest of the media...
Can’t... breathe...
HAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHHA !!!
He obviously was comfortable with all the political claptrap his minions have been spouting, right up until it began to negatively impact his P&L sheet.
I have them blocked now
I remember when Obama became President, he really embraced ESPN publically,,,,which is no big deal. I really think he has had great influence on that Network. I wouldn’t even be surprised if the Democrats decided they should own the Sports media like they own the actual media. In any case, ESPN used to have an intelligent take on the fun and games of life. I loved hearing from quick-witted announcers and former players and coaches.
When I was in college, Sports Center was must see. Their “This is Sports Center’ commercials were great stuff.....simultaneously laughing at themselves while delighting in and celebrating the silly games they covered. In short, ESPN knew its place in our lives, but didn’t take itself seriously.
Somehow they lost that. Intelligent Reporters like John Saunders (who always had sort of a political take) have seem replaced by people who accuse their viewers of being racist. Was Bruce Jenner really given an ESPY for becoming a woman? That’s not an accomplishment. It’s someones personal business. Nothing against Bruce Jenner, but why does ESPN even go there? And their treatment of Colin Kapernick as if he was a modern day Rosa Parks was unnecessary. What if a bunch of players were protesting Barack Obama by wearing MAGA hats during the anthem?
In the mean time, meaningless phrases such ‘guerilla tactics’ when describing aggressive tennis play or explaining that you believe men should only use the men’s room are treated like extreme affronts to humanity. ESPN arrogantly takes sides and its a mistake. Report and observe...a few comments here and there are OK (I guess), but to womp on those employees who see things through a conservative lens is extremely unfair and it rubs people the wrong way,
Bottom Line: ESPN lost track of what it does and why it exists. They got big, arrogant, sloppy, and stupid. In the name of diversity, they’ve become the least diverse business on earth driving away both employees and audience who don’t think like they do. In short, they are incompetent. Furthermore, their declining reputation is dragging down the ratings of the NFL. If I were an NFL executive, I would think twice about associating my product with them. As an audience member all I can is, I’m going to the show tonight.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.