NPR Censors Critic Over “Outrage”
Indiewire today reports that NPR has censored critic Nathan Lee’s review of Kirby Dick’s documentary “Outrage” — which takes the media to task for not outing closeted politicians who enact anti-gay legislation — by scrubbing the names of pols Larry Craig and Charlie Crist, both of whom are referenced in the film. Lee, in protest, asked that his byline be taken off the review, and he left a comment complaining about the edit, which was subsequently deleted. The reason, according to an NPR spokesman: “NPR has a long-held policy of trying to respect the privacy of public figures and of not airing or publishing rumors, allegations and reports about their private lives unless there is a compelling reason to do so.” Movieline has already helpfully provided evidence that this is completely untrue, in an NPR story about “American Idol” contestant Adam Lambert. In other words, it’s okay to discuss sexual orientation about a pop star, but not about a politician who may be voting on a bill to fund NPR!
