NPR Cuts Ties With Lisa Simeone Over Role in 'Occupy DC' Protest

By Herbert Pinnock, Christian Post Reporter Saturday, October 22, 2011

National Public Radio (NPR) host Lisa Simeone is being challenged for breaking rules of ethics by acting as a spokesperson for a current Wall Street protest group.

Simeone hosts two nationally syndicated programs, "World of Opera" and "SoundPrint," on NPR's WAMU, an affiliate at American University in Washington, D.C., according to The Daily Caller.

Asked about her apparent conflict of interest, or seeming ethics violation, Simeone apparently responded by suggesting a distinction based on the type of work she does, “Well, I work in radio still, but this is totally different" because she says she is a "freelancer."

NPR's ethics policy for journalists forbids their participation or engagement in public relations work. In many cases, regardless of whether or not the act is for pay.

The code does allow for a few exceptions, for example, in cases such as "certain volunteer nonprofit, nonpartisan activities, such as participating in the work of a church, synagogue or other institution of worship, or a charitable organization, so long as this would not conflict with the interests of NPR in reporting on activities related to that institution or organization," according to the ethics code listed on NPR's website.

Simeone has appeared in a number of news stories in recent weeks in the capacity of spokesperson for the anti-capitalism protests. "Our main focus is that we are against corporatism and militarism," the radio host said, as she declared that the protesters plan to "occupy" Wall Street's Freedom Plaza for a long time.

"I do know whenever it ends, we are not going to stop acts of civil disobedience, and various acts of civil resistance and organization," Simeone said. "That will be done in the myriad of ways around the country, and again, this is not the end, but only the beginning."

NPR reported in a blog post Friday: "NPR will no longer distribute World of Opera, an NPR spokeswoman said in a statement sent to its member stations Friday evening. WDAV, a station based in Charlotte, N.C., and owned by Davidson College, will take over distribution of the public radio opera show."