Petrelis Files

November 10, 2004

Jeffrey A. Dvorkin
Ombudsman
Ombudsman@npr.org
National Public Radio
Washington, DC

Dear Mr. Dvorkin:

After reading your column today about the ethical quandaries facing a National Public Reporter, Michele Norris, whose husband was an advisor to Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign, I followed the link you provided to NPR's ethical guidelines.

The guidelines seem quite clear about barring political donations from NPR journalists:

http://www.npr.org/about/ethics/#politics

[snip]

IX. Politics, Community and Outside Activities

1. 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 in coverage.

[snip]

Despite this policy, several NPR journalists made donations in the most recent national elections, according to files at the PoliticalMoneyLines' web site, www.tray.com.

Here are the NPR donations listed on that site:

Hilton, Robin D
6/25/2004 $595.00
Hyattsville, MD 20781
NPR/Producer -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Abid, Rod
3/5/2004 $250.00
Chicago, IL 60657
National Public Radio/Radio Produce -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Abid, Rod
6/1/2004 $250.00
Chicago, IL 60657
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO/RADIO PRODUCE -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Abid, Rod
4/5/2004 $250.00
Chicago, IL 60657
National Public Radio/Radio Produce -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE

Andrews, Jan
3/31/2004 $250.00
Alexandria, VA 22312
National Public Radio/Audio Enginee -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Andrews, Jan
3/31/2004 $250.00
Alexandria, VA 22312
National Public Radio/Audio Enginee -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Andrews, Jan
5/24/2004 $500.00
Alexandria, VA 22312
National Public Radio/Audio Enginee -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Brace, Diane
7/24/2004 $250.00
Washington, DC 20008
National Public Radio/development/f -[Contribution]
KERRY VICTORY 2004

Danforth, Michael
3/9/2004 $250.00
Chicago, IL 60615
National Public Radio/Producer -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Flintoff, Corey
12/9/2003 $538.00
Cheverly, MD 20785
National Public Radio/Newscaster -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA

Trudeau, Michelle
5/19/2004 $500.00
Irvine, CA 92612
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO/reporter -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC

Trudeau, Michelle
9/4/2003 $250.00
Irvine, CA 92612
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO/REPORTER -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA

Trudeau, Michelle
9/30/2003 $250.00
Irvine, CA 92612
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO/REPORTER -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA


As you can see, all of the giving by NPR journalists went to Democratic candidates or the Democratic National Committee, which may give listeners the impression NPR and its political coverage was slanted in favor of Democrats.

While I believe it's laudable NPR has policies in place prohibiting such donations, the public record shows NPR journalists violated NPR ethical guidelines.

So what is NPR management doing about the donations? Is management aware of the donations? Will NPR ask that the contributions be returned? Should NPR post the donations on its web site or include the information in an on-air story? If it's determined the giving broke NPR policy, will the journalists be reprimanded?

A prompt reply is respectfully requested and appreciated.

Regards,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
Ph: 415-621-6267