Regarding your coverage of last night's Democratic forum:
Imagine my shock and dismay that my local cable carrier, ATT U-verse, did not carry MSNBC on it's basic tier. I desperately went in search of a way to watch this forum as I deeply care about the direction of the country and was eager for this opportunity to understand the positions of each candidate profiled. The app provided offered a chance, but was not available for Android devices. So, I pay too little for cable, and I don't own an iphone, I therefore cannot participate in the political life of my nation?
Join this open letter and let MSNBC know your displeasure.
I was not inclined to give up. Much to my surprise, Shift/MSNBC ran the program an hour behind MSNBC. The first thing on screen when the video started was an HRC advertisement. Shift/MSNBC did indeed run an ad for Hillary Clinton prior to Hillary Clinton's segment. After HRC's segment, Shift/MSNBC then cut to the video feed of the auditorium AFTER the program. Sanders' and O'Malley's segments were completely cut from Shift/MSNBC's online coverage. All that remained were a handful of clips from the Sanders portion of the program and even fewer of O'Malley's interview.
I would like to ask: why? Why was a significant portion of the electorate denied the opportunity to view these candidates in the most personable setting heretofore presented? Why was HRC's ad and portion of the program streamed and nothing else?
Do these actions constitute an attempt by MSNBC to shape public opinion? I think they do.
The Fourth Estate holds a special place in any democratic society: they are offered access to the lives of all individuals, including politicians, academe, the wealthy, and the poor. However, this privilege comes with a responsibility. Journalists are required to report what happens so that an informed populace can make the best decisions. When journalists choose which candidate to promote and black out others, they rob the public of their right to choose and no longer fulfill their obligations to the larger society. They become something other than journalists.
Was it the intention of MSNBC and Shift/MSNBC to promote Hillary Clinton? The concomitant consequences of the answer to that question lay on your shoulders.
Regards,
Stephen M. Jones
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