ESPN reprimands Azinger for anti-Obama tweets
by Emily Kay on Aug 27, 2011 6:06 PM EDT
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ESPN has reprimanded golf analyst Paul Azinger for using his Twitter account as a platform to rail against President Obama and his policies.
"Paul’s tweet was not consistent with our social media policy, and he has been reminded that political commentary is best left to those in that field," ESPN spokesperson Andy Hall told us in an e-mail Saturday.
North was referring to recent tweets from Azinger, a 12-time PGA tour winner before he enlisted with ESPN as a color commentator.
"Facts: Potus has played more golf this month than I have: I have created more jobs this month than he has: #Marthasvineyard," Azinger tweeted on Thursday. "Potus has played more golf than me this month. I've created more jobs than him this month."
ESPN warns golf analyst Paul Azinger not to tweet about politics (Photo: @PaulAzinger on Twitter)
Other high-profile ESPN staffers have also received slaps on the wrists for employing twitter as a soap box for political viewpoints, according to Hall.
"We have dealt appropriately with similar circumstances and will continue to do so," he said.
Kenny Mayne and Adam Shefter, in particular, have voiced support for the president and appear to share political beliefs not in tune with those of Azinger.
"On 60 minutes, President Obama never was more impressive," ESPN NFL Insider Shefter tweeted on May 8. "On why he didn’t release photos of Osama: We don’t spike the football."
Sports anchor and humorist Mayne, for his part, let the twitterverse know where he stood on the former governor of Alaska.
"almost rammed car with palin bumper sticker," Mayne wrote on June 11. "with intent.. held up..coulda been kids in car."
Mayne tweeted about politics as recently as August 15, so it’s unclear when ESPN read him the riot act or what impact it had.
Azinger, who joined ESPN in 2010, did not respond to a request for comments.
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No question.....
Paul will make some fans with anti-Obama tweets….Here at WR for sure!
Don’t bother telling the whole story with ESPN. Craig James said that he wanted to smash into a car that had a Palin bumper sticker on it……not a peep from the front office on that one.
Tell people you want to damage personal property and possibly injure someone – but make a true statement about Barry O and you get a public reprimand.
If at first you don't secede, try try again
Court......I know you're not
surprised….typical liberal double standard…..
The Saints were the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS for a year...hope I don't have to wait another 44 years for #2....WHO DAT!......:)
Personal Opinion
Eh, Emily K….It is his twitter account, yes. Not ESPN’s. ESPN is DQ’d for moving a loose impediment.
I follow Azinger on Twitter
and whilst I’m not in the slightest bit interested or influenced by his political views/statements, if it’s his private Twitter a/c not sure why ESPN has this call?
“Social media policy” vs Freedom of Speech?
Well (rubbiung my toe in the dirt)...Guess I has to rise above betrayel and talk to you....Your
last sentence…Social Media Policy vs Freedom of Speech…..It doesn’t exist…..not in this case anyway….When Azinger took the job with ESPN, he falls under Company Policy…..good, bad or indifferent…..While I agree with the Freedom of Speech on his own equipment, that’s the way it is…..He’s lucky he only got his whrist slapped…..Been more firings over something just like this…..and at the Golf Channel too…..STUB
STUB
Company policy I understand
if you say something which harms the co. in some way – but it doesn’t strike me that expressing one’s personal political views brings the co. into disrepute. No-one in their right mind thinks Azinger’s comments are on behalf of ESPN, particularly as from reading Emily’s article there are clearly opposing views from fellow employees.
Hmmm – maybe that contract needs closer perusal.
No Wendy Darlin (damm, I hated to type that...but hey, I is risin above the Betrayel)
In this day and Age of “ALL HAIL POLITICAL CORRECTNESS”….No comments have to even nick a bad cute-a-cul be be considered “OFFENSIVE” to someone or group….These Gutless companies want not a hint of anything resembling con-tra-vers-e….Heaven forbid if they ever would have the guts to say…."Hey, that’s what we said, and if ya don’t like it…..tough Patoooote…..and to make matters even worse…..this DISEASE seems to be growimg……STUB
STUB
The MotherShip is two faced..............
Oh, Mama, can this really be the end
To be stuck inside of Mobile
With the Memphis blues again
-R. Zimmerman
You is right about that....Did I mention, that I think the Hood Ornament you gots on yur Golfin
Cart is outstanding……you sly dog you…..STUB
STUB
not exactly the same thing, but...
Does anyone remember the collective conservative outcry when the Dixie Chicks had the audacity to criticize Bush? This morning I urge all my fellow liberals to join me in burning Paul Azinger memorabilia.
"(I)f you think you've got an inside track to absolute truth, you become doctrinaire, humorless and intellectually constipated." Saul Alinsky
There's Paul Azinger memorabilia?
How about it chip&putt: How about tallying up the conservatives and the liberals here?
I live in Singapore Ping
The conservatives and the liberals have melded into one. Funny thing…. it works. Go figure.
Coalition government here, too, Chip
working so far. However, Liberals are middle of the road here and Labour to the left.
I’m always thrown by the way some Americans use the word “liberal” as an insult when my dictionary defines the meaning as “generous, noble-minded, broad-minded: not bound by authority or traditional orthodoxy, etc”.
Should there be a separate column for “floating voters”? ;o)
Our finest hour
was a coalition government..funny how things work well when we are in it together. On the weather, Wendy, was great on the beach today, only in Britain eh ?
Better to have showers on the golf course
than on the beach. Great sunshine here today, too, but nippy north-west wind.
Wendy......
are you equally as “thrown” by the way some Americans use the word “conservative” as an insult. My dictionary defines the word as meaning “holding to traditional attitudes and values”. I think we can all agree that neither definition adequately or accurately defines either term as they are used in today’s political climate…….or maybe they do…..go figure.
The Saints were the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS for a year...hope I don't have to wait another 44 years for #2....WHO DAT!......:)
Em, I've genuinely never seen the word "conservative" used as an insult
but on the now defunct US golf blog (WorldTravelGolf) “liberal” was frequently used as a jibe, which is odd to me. As someone who voted for the Conservative Party at our last election, I wasn’t taking sides politically – just bemused, as you say, at how terms are used in today’s political climate.
Trust me, it happens with regularity.
The Saints were the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS for a year...hope I don't have to wait another 44 years for #2....WHO DAT!......:)
Ah, sorry guys and gals..
A coalition government is not quite what I meant in the Singapore scheme of things.
The ruling power here runs the unions. Work that one out and you’re half way to understanding it. I lived here for 13 years and I’m still in my usual state of blurr..
The one in charge gets to carry the big stick??....:)
The Saints were the SUPER BOWL CHAMPS for a year...hope I don't have to wait another 44 years for #2....WHO DAT!......:)
If your name is Lee...
Surname unfortunately… then the stick is very big indeed.
It’s a very interesting story actually and the whole thing works – here at least.
by chip n'putt on Aug 29, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
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