NBC & Ronna McDaniel Firing: Journalism Has Fallen

NBC’s firing of former Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, days after hiring her as a political analyst for the 2024 election, is shocking but not surprising. Despite being a major news network, NBC is still a private company that may hire and fire employees as it pleases, especially as relates to the company’s bottom line or reputation. Plus, anyone who watched the parade of powerful NBC journalists, anchors, and talking heads — McDaniel’s new colleagues — rush to condemn her must have seen the writing on the wall.

However, this sordid episode reflects truly troubling ways that the U.S. media landscape has changed for the worse. It also points to an ironic but sad development in journalism: the declining commitment to the spirit of core American principles — free expression and diversity of opinion — among journalists themselves.

RR

About the Author

Roger Ream

Roger Ream is the president of The Fund for American Studies (TFAS), a nonprofit educational organization that works with high-school and college students to promote the principles of free-market economics, limited government, and honorable leadership. He is also the host of the Liberty + Leadership podcast.

Featured Tags

NBC’s firing of former Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, days after hiring her as a political analyst for the 2024 election, is shocking but not surprising. Despite being a major news network, NBC is still a private company that may hire and fire employees as it pleases, especially as relates to the company’s bottom line or reputation. Plus, anyone who watched the parade of powerful NBC journalists, anchors, and talking heads — McDaniel’s new colleagues — rush to condemn her must have seen the writing on the wall.

However, this sordid episode reflects truly troubling ways that the U.S. media landscape has changed for the worse. It also points to an ironic but sad development in journalism: the declining commitment to the spirit of core American principles — free expression and diversity of opinion — among journalists themselves.

RR

About the Author

Roger Ream

Roger Ream is the president of The Fund for American Studies (TFAS), a nonprofit educational organization that works with high-school and college students to promote the principles of free-market economics, limited government, and honorable leadership. He is also the host of the Liberty + Leadership podcast.