Target: President of Media Matters for America, Angelo Carusone
Goal: Applaud watchdog journalism organization for releasing incriminating material of conservative journalist, leading to his termination from major news company.
On April 5, The Atlantic parted ways with controversial columnist Kevin Williamson after Media Matters published some disturbing commentary. During a former podcast interview, the conservative journalist said that he’s ¨absolutely willing to see abortion treated like a regular homicide under the criminal code.” Not long ago, the ForceChange community petitioned Williamson’s dismissal to editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, because of other sexist and even racist remarks. Previously the former National Review contributor called black people ¨primates¨ and suggested that abortion seekers be hanged. Now there’s no room for hyperbole.
Seeing that Goldberg continued to employ Williamson even after encouraging capital punishment for women, the real person to praise is President of Media Matters, Angelo Carusone. Free speech is a constitutional right in the United States – yet there can’t be any leniency for somebody suggesting the execution of women or dehumanizing people of African origin. In the end, Goldberg made the right decision thanks to the power of watchdog journalism and more than 250 signatures garnered via ForceChange. Sign the petition below to congratulate Media Matters for their reporting while encouraging other news companies to take the soap box away from extremists.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Carusone,
In an era of fake news, Internet trolls, and attacks on progressive news outlets, we would like to personally thank you for assisting in the removal of Kevin Williamson from The Atlantic. Your decision to publish former broadcast where he clearly supported the idea of abortion warranting the death penalty was enough to lead to his departure. Editor of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, may have thought Williamson’s prior comments were impulsive or poorly expressed, but this statement was enough to convince him otherwise. Thank you for preventing somebody with such violent viewpoints from having a national forum to reach millions of people.
Editorial excellence is hard to come by these days, yet Media Matters is certainly breaking new grounds for progressive watchdog organizations. Part of Donald Trump’s pathway to presidency was denouncing ¨left-wing¨ media organizations for generating false reports in order to depict right-wingers as public enemy number one. By posting a transcript of Williamson’s podcast interview, you are showcasing the true sentiments of an influential American journalist. More political commentators should be reprimanded for their deplorable rhetoric, whether they be Tomi Lahren or Rush Limbaugh. Let’s hope that you continue revealing the truth of today’s estranged media world for as long as possible.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: RaphaelQS
Although humans are primates. And non human primates are awesome so why is it an insult?
all forms of discrimination out of the media now.