MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY - The University of Missouri-Columbia issued a statement yesterday that it "deeply regrets" any offense to viewers of its television station for not allowing station reporters to wear patriotic symbols.
KOMU-TV News Director Stacey Woelfel notified employees Sept. 17 via e-mail of station policy prohibiting them from wearing symbols for any cause, including patriotism.
"Leave the ribbons at home when reporting or anchoring for KOMU News," Woelfel's e-mail said. "What you do on your own time is up to you, though I would urge you to consider the fact that you are always 'on the clock' in terms of being know as a reporter and a representative of the station."
MU Chancellor Richard Wallace issued a statement Thursday that was directed to Missouri's governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature.
"MU deeply regrets that this policy has caused offense to KOMU viewers and other citizens," the statement said. "This was an action taken in the TV news room to assure editorial independence that did not in any way reflect a policy of the University."
Some Republican state representatives voiced concerns over the policy possibly restricting reporters' rights as citizens, but Woelfel defended his policy as a matter of journalistic ethics. Woelfel then said in an e-mail to a group of students that the issue was becoming one of partisan politics.
"But the e-mails from politicians also help me make my point," Woelfel's e-mail said. "Because if there isn't some partisan political message involved in wearing the ribbons in the first place, why would all the complaints to me come from legislators of the same political party?"
Rep. Matt Bartle, R-Lee's Summit, said Thursday he thinks Woelfel has put himself into the political fray.
"I am disappointed that the news director, who is supposedly unbiased, would consider this as a partisan issue," Bartle said. "It makes him appear partisan and biased."
Woelfel said Thursday he did not see the issue as politically motivated, saying, "I think (the e-mail) speaks for itself."
He also said that his e-mail is accurate in its assertion that wearing the flag is indeed a partisan issue.
Bartle, however, said that thinking of the flag as a political symbol would be insulting to many people.
"Wearing an American flag doesn't imply you're a Republican or a Democrat," Bartle said.