MSNBC Has Crossed The Line

Dear Readers,

Last week, MSNBC correspondent David Shuster stated, while talking about Chelsea Clinton's campaign activities on behalf of her mother, "doesn't it seem like Chelsea's sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way" by Sen. Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign -- a comment that quickly sparked widespread criticism.

Sadly, this remark is not the first time commentators at MSNBC have relied on sexist or misogynistic stereotypes when talking about current events. Last year, MSNBC canceled its simulcast of host Don Imus' show over his racist and sexist comments about the Rutgers women's basketball players. In January, MSNBC host Chris Matthews was forced to address a controversy ignited by his contention that the reason Clinton is "a U.S. senator, the reason she's a candidate for president, the reason she may be a front-runner is her husband messed around." Instead of tackling the root of the problem, MSNBC used Matthews' purported "apology" in an ad to promote the network's political programming! It's time to tell MSNBC that enough is enough.

Media Matters for America is collecting signatures on a petition to NBC News and MSNBC executives asking them to seriously address the degrading commentary that pervades their broadcasts. I've signed the petition and hope you will too.

Sign the petition by clicking here.

I've included the email from David Brock, president of Media Matters for America, with more information on this important issue.

Dear Friend,

During the past year, three MSNBC commentators have been suspended, reprimanded, fired, or forced to apologize for their sexist and/or racist comments. Rather than address these problems by proactively moving to make certain they do not happen in the first place, MSNBC has instead decided to use these controversies as part of an advertising campaign to promote its political coverage.

>> Take Action Today -- Send a Message to NBC News President Steve Capus

That's right -- MSNBC has turned the recent mea culpa by Hardball host Chris Matthews for his sexist comments into an advertising campaign, using clips of his statement to push MSNBC programming. Left on the cutting room floor, of course, are the portions in which Matthews acknowledged having been "callous," "nasty," and "dismissive" toward Sen. Hillary Clinton.

The pattern of sexism at MSNBC doesn't stop there. Last year MSNBC canceled its simulcast of host Don Imus' show for his racist and sexist comments targeting the Rutgers women's basketball players. It was only after a widespread outcry by individuals, employees of the network, and many organizations, including Media Matters, that the network took action. At the time, NBC News President Steve Capus promised to "continue the dialogue about what is appropriate conduct and speech."

The latest example of the systemic problem of sexism and misogyny on MSNBC's airwaves came last week from correspondent David Shuster when he stated, while talking about Chelsea Clinton's campaign activities on behalf of her mother, "doesn't it seem like Chelsea's sort of being pimped out in some weird sort of way" by Sen. Clinton's presidential campaign. Following criticism from many who found Shuster's comments indefensible and demeaning, MSNBC suspended Shuster indefinitely and aired an apology from him that evening.

>> Take Action Today -- Send a Message to NBC News President Steve Capus

Many know of the high-profile controversies I've noted above, but what about the less publicized incidents of sexist and misogynistic commentary that have gone unacknowledged and uncorrected by NBC News and MSNBC? Media Matters has documented scores of examples. Just last year, MSNBC host Tucker Carlson said of Sen. Clinton: "[T]here's just something about her that feels castrating, overbearing, and scary." Further, Carlson has said of Clinton: "I have often said, when she comes on television, I involuntarily cross my legs."

Just how seriously are these issues being taken?

With Americans going to the polls this year to select the next president of the United States, news organizations like NBC News and MSNBC have a sacred duty to be good stewards of accurate, balanced, and responsible political discourse.

>> Take Action Today -- Send a Message to NBC News President Steve Capus

These controversial comments undercut the foundations of what journalism should be. They turn political news coverage into a sideshow circus, diverting attention from and distorting the real issues Americans face daily.

Reasonable people of every political persuasion agree, as I'm sure you do, that sexist smears should not be a part of legitimate journalistic coverage of the issues or candidates in any race.

It's clear the management at NBC News and MSNBC has consistently failed to address what appears to be the core problem. Please take a moment to sign our petition and send a message to NBC News President Capus that the time for apologies has passed. The time for a real commitment to change is long since overdue. With your help, we can urge MSNBC to change the demeaning tone that its coverage all too often takes and truly address this disturbing pattern once and for all.

>> Take Action Today -- Send a Message to NBC News President Steve Capus

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

David Brock,
President & CEO
Media Matters for America

P.S. Please pass this email on to your friends, family, and co-workers by clicking here.

Note: MSNBC is certainly not the only network which has sexist commentators. However, over the past few months comments from some of their most prominent media personalities seem to indicate that there is an atmosphere on their network that tolerates sexism and misogyny.