I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t find this move from a government-funded media entity a surprising one, but kudos to NPR for drawing a line in the sand. Of course, there isn’t a directive about objective coverage, but barring presence beyond reporting is a huge step.

NPR brass sent out an email yesterday reminding their staff about their non-political activity policies going into the election season, with emphasis on the forthcoming John Stewart/Stephen Colbert rallies:

From: [NPR chief executive] Vivian Schiller

Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 8:58 AM

To: AllStaff

Subject: FW: NPR Journalists and political activity

To ALL NPR staff,

Please see Ellen Weiss’ note to her staff below (and in particular, the reference to the upcoming Jon Stewart rally). In addition to News, the other divisions that are required to abide by the NPR News Ethics policy are digital, programming/AIR, legal and communications.

However, no matter where you work at NPR you should be very mindful that you represent the organization and its news coverage in the eyes of your friends, neighbors and others. So please think twice about the message you may be sending about our objectivity before you attend a rally or post a bumper sticker or yard sign. We are all NPR.


If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your supervisor.

Vivian

——————-

From: [Senior vice president for news] Ellen Weiss

Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 8:46 AM

To: News-All Staff

Subject: NPR Journalists and political activity

As we head into the final weeks of this political season, I thought it would be valuable to send out a reminder of what NPR News Ethics Policies and Social Media Guidelines are regarding political activity. These are the relevant excerpts from the full documents that can be found online.

Please review carefully and if you have any questions please talk to your direct supervisor.

Many thanks,

Ellen

Political activity:

* NPR journalists may not run for office, endorse candidates or otherwise engage in politics. Since contributions to candidates are part of the public record, NPR journalists may not contribute to political campaigns, as doing so would call into question a journalist’s impartiality.

* NPR journalists may not participate in marches and rallies involving causes or issues that NPR covers, nor should they sign petitions or otherwise lend their name to such causes, or contribute money to them. This restriction applies to the upcoming John Stewart and Stephen Colbert rallies.

* You must not advocate for political or other polarizing issues online. This extends to joining online groups or using social media in any form (including your Facebook page or a personal blog) to express personal views on a political or other controversial issue that you could not write for the air or post on NPR.org.

* NPR journalists may not serve on government boards or commissions.

Perhaps the folks at NPR can give a lesson to the Huffington Post crew a lesson in objectivity. Remember the suspected Huffington Post blogger who chanted “No justice, no peace” at an NAACP rally where socio-progs and union members slurred and mocked Kenneth Gladney?

During this rally, a woman named Jeanine Molloff identified herself as being with Huffington Post and took to the megaphone to apparently speak on behalf of the website declaring: “We will be following this and we will make it a civil rights issue.” She even joined in the chant popularized by Jesse Jackson and Maxine Waters in the wake of the Los Angeles riots: “No justice! No peace!”

Credit where credit is due. Good on NPR.