PETITION: Ask NBC To Add Rachel Maddow As Human Rights Correspondent In Olympics Coverage

[theHandpuppet]

http://www.truthwinsout.org/pressrelease/2013/07/36584/
PETITION: Ask NBC To Add Rachel Maddow As Human Rights Correspondent In Olympics Coverage
Evan Hurst July 31, 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To Ensure Fair And Accurate Coverage Of The 2014 Sochi Olympic Games, Truth Wins Out Strongly Urges NBC To Assign Rachel Maddow As A Special Human Rights Correspondent For The Duration Of The Games

Russia has made international news over the last several years as an egregious abuser of human rights. The list of abuses under Vladimir Putin’s regime is long and growing: passing laws banning the mere mention of gay people under the guise of protecting minors; banning adoption of Russian children by parents from nations with marriage equality; arresting and threatening to arrest gay tourists; turning a blind eye to thugs seeking out and torturing LGBT youth; arresting political protesters such as the members of Pussy Riot; killing journalists; passing laws banning criticism of the Orthodox Church. It’s amazing that this is the same nation which will be hosting the 2014 Olympic Games. But, indeed they will be held in the Russian town of Sochi, on the shore of the Black Sea.

Worldwide outrage has led to boycotts of Russian products and demands that LGBT athletes be kept safe from the Russian government during the Games. The Russian government’s response hasn’t been very comforting. Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin sent a letter to NBC demanding that the network expose the reality of Russia during Olympic coverage, but the response thus far has been lukewarm. Some have suggested that people of good will should boycott the Games entirely, and given the grave situation, it’s an idea worth serious consideration. However, If the Olympic Games proceed, Truth Wins Out has has a suggestion to greatly enhance Olympic media coverage:


“The spotlight can be harsh, but Russia specifically asked for it when they submitted a bid and agreed to host the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi,” said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. “People around the world want to watch and support the Olympics, but they want to do so with a clear conscience. Make a difference, NBC, by adding Rachel Maddow to the Olympic coverage as a special Human Rights Correspondent.”

NBC’s Olympic coverage has long featured myriad human interest pieces, about the athletes competing, and about all aspects of life in the home nation. There is more than enough time in prime time Olympic coverage for hard-hitting pieces exposing the reality of what LGBT people, political dissidents and other minorities face every day under the Putin regime.... MORE

Go to the link posted above to access the petition.