Comcast’s top executives issued a memo to all Comcast and NBCuniversal employees about Matthew Dowd, who was fired as a contributor to MSNBC after it was aired that conservative activist Charlie Kirk was the “splitting” person who pushed “Hate Speech.” Kirk was shot dead on Wednesday at an event in Utah.
The memo came on Friday from Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, Comcast President Mike Cavanagh and Mark Lazarus. He is the CEO of Spinoff Company, which includes a spinoff company (renamed MS Now), including MSNBC.
“You may have seen MSNBC recently terminated its relationship with a contributor who made unacceptable and insensitive comments about this horrifying event,” the memo says. “The reporting was at odds with promoting civic dialogue and willing to listen to the perspectives of people with different opinions, and we should be able to express our opinions.
On Wednesday, during live coverage of MSNBC’s Kirkshot, anchor Katitter asked Dowd about “an environment where such shootings occur.”
Dowd replied with the following statement of Kirk: It is the unfortunate environment we are in. ”
Dowd’s comments urged online backlash and urged MSNBC President Rebecca Kutler to apologise. She accused Dowd of comments as “inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable.”
(Photo above: Charlie Kirk speaks at the opening of the Turning Point Action Conference in West Palm Beach, Florida on July 15th, 2023.)
Read the full notes of Roberts, Cabana and Lazarus:
Dear Comcast NBCuniversal Team,
The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, 31-year-old father and husband and defender of the unresolved argument that faith is important to him, reminds us of the vulnerability of life in our country and the urgent need for unity. Our hearts are heavy. Our hearts are heavy as his passing leaves a country that is grieving and tackling division. There is no place for violence or hatred in our society.
You may have seen MSNBC recently terminated its relationship with a contributor who made unacceptable and insensitive comments about this horrifying event. The reporting was at odds with promoting civic dialogue and willing to listen to the perspectives of people with different opinions. We should be opposed, robust and passionate, but ultimately with respect. You need to do better.
Charlie Kirk believed that “when people stop talking, something really bad starts.” Whether you agree with his political views or not, his words and actions underscore the urgency to maintain a respectful exchange of ideas. We believe in the power of communication that brings us together. Today, I feel that belief is more important than ever. Something essential is being destroyed in our public discourse, and as a company that values the power of information, we are responsible for repairing it.
As employees, we ask you to embody our values in your work and the community. We should kindly respect people, listen and treat them.
