CNN Producer Says He Was Fired for Blogging

By Sewell Chan
BloggerChez Pazienza

Should journalists be permitted to maintain personal — and highly opinionated — blogs on their own time? Chez Pazienza, a senior producer for CNN’s “American Morning,” says the network fired him on Tuesday on the grounds that he violated its standards for journalists through his blog, Deus Ex Malcontent.

Mr. Pazienza announced that he had been fired through — what else? — a blog post on Wednesday. “What was the reason for my abrupt and untimely dismissal?” he wrote. “You’re reading it. More to come soon.”

In a phone interview this morning, Mr. Pazienza, 38, said he joined CNN as a senior producer in January 2004 and has consistently received positive performance evaluations. He spent his first year at CNN at the network’s headquarters in Atlanta, then moved to New York to work on “CNN Daybreak,” which has since been canceled, then “American Morning,” which is shown Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 a.m.

Mr. Pazienza said he started his blog in May 2006 as a way to keep his mind occupied while he was on a medical leave of several months after an operation to remove a brain tumor. He got noticed by blogs like Drew Curtis’s FARK, a popular news-aggregation site, and Pajiba, a left-wing blog of movie and book reviews.

“Slowly but surely people started reading me a little bit, and it was nice,” he said. “It was still relatively small, but for a personal blog, I was doing very well. I had a few thousand hits a day.”

Then, a few months ago, Mr. Pazienza was invited to start blogging on The Huffington Post, the group blog founded by Arianna Huffington.

Mr. Pazienza said he has never identified himself in his writing as a CNN producer or as a representative of CNN and has never written about what goes on at work. “I will write about the media in general and, at times, the very sorry state of it, including the TV news media,” he said. “I think I have the right to.”

Mr. Pazienza described Deus Ex Malcontent as a personal journal, where he has mused about everything from his recovery from surgery to his thoughts on the mass media and popular culture. He has linked to music videos from bands he likes and written about past relationships.

“It’s basically me,” he said. “It’s whatever happens to strike my fancy that day. I don’t have any advertisers, so I’m not exactly beholden to anyone. I don’t wake up worrying about how many people are reading me.”

Deus Ex Malcontent makes no effort to hide its author’s strong views. “I wake up every morning baffled as to why America hasn’t thrown George Bush and Dick Cheney in prison, Hollywood hasn’t stopped trying to convince me that Sarah Jessica Parker is attractive, gullible soccer moms haven’t realized that they share absolutely no kinship with Oprah, and Fox canceled ‘Firefly,'” Mr. Pazienza wrote on the biographical section of his blog.

Barbara Levin, a spokeswoman for CNN, said she could not discuss specifics because the network does not comment on personnel matters, but she said in a statement, “CNN has a policy that says employees must first get permission to write for a non-CNN outlet.”

Mr. Pazienza acknowledges that he did not ask permission from CNN to blog, either on his own Web site or on The Huffington Post. He contends that the policy had not been made clear to employees and was overly vague. “It’s purposely set up so they can be subjective,” he said. “Does that mean I can’t post on a MySpace blog that my friends read? Does that mean I can’t post something online to my wife?” He added that he believed he had been dismissed because of his views.

When he was fired on Tuesday, Mr. Pazienza said, only his personal blog was mentioned, not his work for The Huffington Post. Mr. Pazienza also said his supervisors had told him that they did not know of other CNN employers who blogged, an assertion Mr. Pazienza said he knows to be untrue. Mr. Pazienza lives on the Upper East Side with his wife; the couple are expecting a baby in August. He said he is not going to fight to get his job back, but when asked whether he planned to hire a lawyer, he said he had not yet decided on any plans.

(For those who wonder, The New York Times’s policy on ethics in journalism does have a section on blogs. While it states that blogs “present imaginative opportunities for personal expression and exciting new journalism,” it adds that blogs “also require cautions, magnified by the Web’s unlimited reach.” It elaborates that personal blog content should be “purely that: personal,” and that staff members should avoid blogging about topics they cover as journalists and avoid taking stands on divisive public issues, among other guidelines.)

Comments are no longer being accepted.

Perch February 14, 2008 · 2:38 pm

There is a (little-litigated) provision of the NY Labor Law which protects employees from adverse employment action for lawful recreational activities. Although CNN’s policy may constitute some sort of contractual wrinkle which overcome the protection, it is likewise possible that the statute could apply here, if Mr. Pazienza was employed by CNN in New York. Of course, he may also have been employed pursuant to a contract which elected Georgia law — notoriously employer-friendly, at least in comparison to New York’s — to govern the employment relationship.

kay bee February 14, 2008 · 2:41 pm

I don’t see what his argument is. CNN absolutely has the right to not wanting him writing in the public domain.

In this media age where every outlet is suspected of being biased and having a hidden agenda CNN doesn’t need this additional burden of having to make sure his views don’t taint his work, and more importantly defending it in the court of public opinion.

Producers are not like camera hands. They heavily affect the stories covered, the emphasis, the tone, and everything in between. Just think if Brian Williams insisted on having a “personal” blog that was being unabashedly left or right wing oriented, wouldn’t NBC have the right to say NO?

CNN has to make a decision whether it overtly promotes a bias like FOX, or just be content with being accused by both sides and show that a badge of honor. Not doing anything about this blog would have forced their hand to be the former.

arnold_s February 14, 2008 · 2:46 pm

The CNN Producer writes on his blog, “I wake up every morning baffled as to why America hasn’t thrown George Bush and Dick Cheney in prison, Hollywood hasn’t stopped trying to convince me that Sarah Jessica Parker is attractive, gullible soccer moms haven’t realized that they share absolutely no kinship with Oprah…”
Maybe he was fired for being a sexist. If yes, good riddance.

Joselito Pascual February 14, 2008 · 2:48 pm

Mr. Pazienzia has the right to express his opinion freely as guaranteed by our constitution. This is pure muzzling of our demopcratic rights to express our views and thoughts. Where is America headed to?

Matt February 14, 2008 · 2:50 pm

CNN’s actions may or may not be petty, but this guy had his fate in his own hands. He has nothing to complain about, imo.

Arye Michael Bender February 14, 2008 · 2:52 pm

The drawn line should be clear, and Chez Pazienza certainly did not cross it. The presentation of NEWS, on any public venue, should not be compromised by any bias — personal or organizational. At the same time, every individual has the right to express his or her opinions beyond that of the organization he/she works for.

Sue their proverbial pants off!

– Arye Michael Bender –

MJ February 14, 2008 · 2:52 pm

Only an idiot would expect NOT to be fired for this. For example, as an investment banking family, ANYTHING financial of ours must be viewed by the firm, even political donations, so there is no appearance of favoritism or quid pro quo. If Mr. Pazienza is blogging, it can create a problem for CNN if these views are construed by readers as somehow morphing both views. Remember how all the campaigns were taking heat for blogs of staff members? Teachers have been fired for racy pictures that were posted online. Perhaps new laws need to be passed but many employment at will states definitely allow firing over some activities outside the office.

Gavin February 14, 2008 · 2:55 pm

I’m not suprised CNN plays dirty; they are doing just that right now on the democratic primary, specifically against Hillary Rodham Clinton.

You should see some of the topics they allow bloggers to post on thier ‘ticker’ against Rodham-Clinton.

But it’s more than that too.

Overall, I think CNN has gotten too big for its britches.

markjay1 February 14, 2008 · 2:59 pm

“Mr. Pazienzia has the right to express his opinion freely as guaranteed by our constitution. This is pure muzzling of our demopcratic rights to express our views and thoughts. Where is America headed to?

— Posted by Joselito Pascual”

And CNN has the right to fire him if he doesn’t follow their rules and policy. But if you think that free speech is an absolute go into your bosses office and call him all the names you’ve wanted to, tell him what an incompetent dunderhead he is and then when he fires you you can claim that the Constitution gives you the right of free speech and after all it’s just your opinion. Go ahead. Do it. Let us know how it turns out,

mickeyrad February 14, 2008 · 3:01 pm

Sexist? How can saying an actress is not attractive – despite the hype – be sexist? Or saying that soccer moms have nothing in common with Oprah? Or maybe you mean the Bush & Cheney in prison comment – ok, throw Condi Rice in prison too, that’ll be gender equality.
Egads…sexist. *sigh*
All the entire incident shows is how sensitive CNN and the media are to criticisms of the Bush Regime. I’m glad Prof Krugman writes for the NY Times…

John February 14, 2008 · 3:03 pm

Mr.Pazienza knows that CNN was right to fire him. If, as he claims, the policy was “vague”, then certainly as an experienced senior producer he had an opportunity over his 4 years at CNN to ask for clarification before writing for “a non-CNN outlet.” His ego clearly enjoys the attention, which is why he’s using this incident to now gain more attention for himself and his blogs.

Blinker February 14, 2008 · 3:04 pm

Could not have happened to a nicer guy.

NYT Moderators February 14, 2008 · 3:06 pm

[Comment removed — identical to #17]

Rick Mc Callister February 14, 2008 · 3:06 pm

And Bush wants to allow AT&T et al to snoop on our e-mail conversations, phone calls, etc. without legal recourse. So you can be fired for anything you think –because if they are not subject to lawsuits, they can do whatever they want with the information. And if they don’t like what you have to say, they can hand it over to your employer and say “lookie here, your boy/girl has terrorist thoughts.”
We need a plethora of opinion in this country or we’ll be just like Putin’s Russia.

Michael Fortunato February 14, 2008 · 3:07 pm

Lets try this one more time. The GOVERNMENT cannot restrict your speech. Your employer most certainly can and does. And for someone as supposedly well educated and as urbane as Mr. Pazienza purports to be surprises me. I guess CNN Ex Malcontent at him.

KFNYC February 14, 2008 · 3:07 pm

Clearly, if CNN was not interested in taking punitive actions for his views, they could have advised Pazienza to discontinue the blog. But they didn’t, they sacked him straight away. Nice touch too, firing someone who has recently had brain surgery and is expecting a baby. Dick Cheney is probably pleased, but then, maybe he’s the one who made the call.

JDW February 14, 2008 · 3:08 pm

Mr. Pazienzia,

Good for you for embracing your right to free speech. You had every right to say what you did. CNN, Good for you for embracing your right of firing someone who might reflect poorly on your business model. You too had every right to fire who you choose. You see, kids, Paz was hoping to reach a wider audience for his own ego and his own pocket. CNN was hoping to increase its audience for its investors egos and their pockets. This is why America is great – and there is no irony here. Paz made a decision and CNN did too. There are consequences for decisions. Paz, my friend, you made the wrong one. There are manifold left-wing opinion sites to feed the ego. There are few reputable networks like CNN to work for. Any angrified sophomore at Soho Community College can post at Huffpo if they’re irreverent enough. But to be a producer at CNN? That’s big time, son. Your decision then was ego driven and, ultimately, dumb.

janet February 14, 2008 · 3:09 pm

The CNN Producer writes on his blog, “I wake up every morning baffled as to why America hasn’t thrown George Bush and Dick Cheney in prison, Hollywood hasn’t stopped trying to convince me that Sarah Jessica Parker is attractive, gullible soccer moms haven’t realized that they share absolutely no kinship with Oprah…”
Maybe he was fired for being a sexist. If yes, good riddance.

— Posted by arnold_s

Sexist? GWB and Cheney are girls? That explains a lot. Personally, I’ve always thought Sarah Jessica Parker resembles a horse.

Ethan Q February 14, 2008 · 3:12 pm

Come on, America, all together now!

“I owe my soul to the company store…”

You all know the tune!

Mary T, SLC, UT February 14, 2008 · 3:13 pm

Arnold_s says, “Maybe he was fired for being a sexist. If yes, good riddance.”

I don’t see sexism in Mr. Pazienzia’s bio about his feelings of certain aspects of Hollywood. I don’t particularly think Sarah Jessica Parker is attractive, either. There are a LOT of gullible people watching talk shows and I agree, Bush and Cheney should be in jail. What is so sexist about that? He’s expressing his views. He has a right to do so.

My view is that CNN, like Fox and MSNBC, is not really a credible news venue. It’s just another glossy gossip site for the masses who don’t feel like exercising their brains and take at face value anything the “experts” say on the teevee.

WhiteOak February 14, 2008 · 3:13 pm

CNN should fire Lou Dobbs instead of this guy.

Andrew February 14, 2008 · 3:13 pm

I’m not surprised by both this man’s poor judgment and his network’s. After all, as you point out at the beginning of your piece, he worked for a show that CNN renamed “American” Morning in the months immediately following the September 11th attacks in a really tacky attempt to bump up its ratings.

Grant Patterson February 14, 2008 · 3:14 pm

I wish more in the media would drop the laughable notion that they’re not biased against republicans and simply admit that they’re liberals rooting for democrats. This guy’s a Senior Producer and thinks President Bush is a war criminal. Not biased? Please.

PJZ February 14, 2008 · 3:17 pm

TO Arnold S, #3.

(1) Your reply doesn’t really speak at all to the matter at hand

and

(2) I’m at a complete loss as to how his comments could be sexist. His opinion as outlined speaks to a lack of connectivity. I happen to agree with him – that Oprah and her sheeple don’t have much in common, and that Sarah Jessica Parker, who I am sure is a lovely person, is too often dressed like a courtesan in severe need of the attentions of a talented hairdresser and colorist.

Jared February 14, 2008 · 3:20 pm

CNN should fire Nancy Grace and that right wing nut with a smirk on his face. I forget his name