Media And Racial Profiling...

NBC – the editing of Zimmerman’s phone call

NBC apologizes for the editing of Zimmerman’s phone call, the effect of which was to make him look “racist”, but declines to remove their commentator Al Sharpton, who has been simultaneously using his MSNBC role as a pulpit for agitating on the Trayvon Martin case, while leading demonstrations against Zimmerman.

From the Globe and Mail:

Rev. Sharpton, who hosts MSNBC’s Politics Daily and offers regular commentary on the case, has also served as an advocate for the Martin family by leading rallies demanding Mr. Zimmerman’s arrest, appearing beside Mr. Martin’s anguished parents, and conducting closed door meetings with prosecutors and local officials on the Martin family’s behalf. A call to Rev. Sharpton for comment Saturday was not returned.

Externally, media critics including Howard Kurtz, host of CNN’s Reliable Sources and a columnist for The Daily Beast, have criticized the network for allowing Rev. Sharpton to play a dual role as both activist and commentator.

“Even commentators have to abide by certain rules,” Mr. Kurtz wrote last month. “And in this case, by playing both sides of the camera, Rev. Al has obliterated them.”