cross posted at Democratic Underground
Phil Griffin already said he wants to be more like FOX News, so maybe it shouldn't come as a surprise that he once again makes it clear he doesn't care what MSNBC viewers have to say, this time by refusing to accept their Petition To Bring Back David Shuster...
The petitions were sent via certified mail to Griffin, Jeffrey Zucker, and Steve Capus of NBC Universal, as well as to Brian Roberts of Comcast and Jon Klein of CNN in an effort to demonstrate to these employers and potential employers that David Shuster does, indeed have a loyal following and there is an audience for a progressive and assertive media.
No. We're not forming a new church around David Shuster, or even a cult. Some of us, myself included, agree that he has occasionally earned his reputation as the bad boy of cable news. But he's our bad boy.
We are incensed that Griffin takes MSNBC's progressive viewers for granted to the point he refused to even open our petition.
It came back looking like this.
And, yes, he's been around since it arrived, because the Morning Joke crew have given him shout outs while he watched their wretched program from the wings in the past week.
Though it's highly doubtful that a Corporate Executive who publicly proclaims his admiration for, and desire to emulate Roger Ailes, would be reading The Great Orange Satan, just in case he does, because we expect he has a Google alert set for his name, please indulge me by allowing me to post our cover letter here:
Dear Sirs:
Enclosed please find the Petition To Bring Back David Shuster and a representative sampling of comments shared by some of the signers.
We respectfully submit these in hopes you will recognize that the "punishment" being inflicted on him, while seemingly unfair, overly personal, and inordinately harsh for him, is also being inflicted on many current (and some now former) viewers of MSNBC.
Signer # 259 sums it up well for many of us:
#259. by S. R. "David Shuster has been an exceptionally refreshing addition to MSNBC's broadcast team. He is well-informed, articulate, and willing to ask tough questions in order to get to the truth. He unfailingly follows-up with FACTS to cut through dishonest spin, and he attempts to hold politicians accountable based on their own words and actions, not self-promoting misrepresentations. Please return him to regular appearances on your daily line-up. IMO, he has a large, loyal, and appreciative audience following, who believe that he is ready and capable of hosting his own show. I respectfully request that you reconsider his suspension. David is sorely missed."
We urge you read both the petition and the comments, and that you give full consideration to your respective audiences before continuing with any misplaced and melodramatic demand for Company "loyalty."
Perhaps you, too, will find it remarkable that so many viewers
cared enough about David Shuster to find a way to protest his suspension -- even though he has never had his own branded show, and Mr. Griffin failed to address his absence honestly, defaming him in published emails and leaving the misleading impression he had broken his contract.
Our respect and "loyalty" belongs to the news organization that puts its audience and journalistic integrity above competitive fervor and petty personal animus.
Thank You,
And here is the Petition to Bring Back David Shuster
We, the undersigned consumers of progressive media, urge, in the strongest possible terms, the return of David Shuster to the regularly scheduled MSNBC lineup, preferably in his own branded show.
As progressive consumers, we recognize and appreciate that Mr. Shuster's allegiance is not to us, but to journalism. We are not advocating for him because we expect him to tell us what we want to hear.
Mr. Shuster’s dedication to real journalism, his assertive and passionate style, and his singular preparedness for interviews, are evidence that his loyalties, professionalism and ethics are well matched for MSNBC's core demographic.
We further request that MSNBC President Phil Griffin reevaluate his demands that his journalists' loyalty be solely to his corporate "team," rather than to a higher standard of objectivity and truth.
Either bring David Shuster back or cut him loose so that we, his loyal audience, can follow this exceptional newsman to greener pastures.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
Join us at our FaceBook Group Punish David Shuster With His Own Show
You can still sign the Petition
and leave your comment for Mr. Griffin.
We'll get it to him if we have to nail it to the wall of 30 Rock.
Update: For a quick primer on the Shuster Saga, please read Tara Thralls excellent piece here.
