Politics

Journo listserv a gift that keeps giving for the right

The email listerv for mostly liberal journalists that used to be called Journolist (founder Ezra Klein explains its demise) is providing plenty of fodder for the politico-media wars. Last month, Dave Weigel resigned as a Washington Post blogger over political comments he made on the list. Now today, the Daily Caller published excerpts that quote KCRW producer and publicist Sarah Spitz saying she would watch Rush Limbaugh suffer rather than help him having a heart attack. NPR issued a statement saying that Spitz doesn't work for the network, and Spitz also put out a statement:

I made poorly considered remarks about Rush Limbaugh to what I believed was a private email discussion group from my personal email account. As a publicist, I realize more than anyone that is no excuse for irresponsible behavior. I apologize to anyone I may have offended and I regret these comments greatly; they do not reflect the values by which I conduct my life.

KCRW general manager Jennifer Ferro memoed in response to the controversy, saying in part of Spitz: "She spoke in the heat of the moment without consideration to the impact her words would have. We've all said things we didn't mean and don't reflect our core values. We believe that was the situation in this case." Spitz produces "Left, Right & Center" and also is the station's top publicist. Also of local note, UCLA law professor Jonathan Zasloff is quoted musing whether the FCC should pull the broadcast license of Fox News, drawing the ire of many on the right.

Also: A replacement for Journolist called Cabalist is amassing members.


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