I was Marianne's first editor and if there is ANYBODY who would quit her job to protest an ethical violation, it's Marianne. Also, her report of the skittishness of MPR editors sounds familiar.MPR wants to make a difference but it refuses to take the risk necessary to be relevant https://twitter.com/MarianneSCombs/status/1305519037607292929

Historically, MPR news managers have looked for reasons NOT to do a story when pitched, rather than reasons to do it. A story like this would have gone to the highest level of MPR News management, including its new president. This is a massive failure of ethics and public trust.

There are a few editors/managers I know who bristle at this cultural reality of fear of pissing someone off. Several have left, been laid off, or moved into other positions. There is frustration at the white bread, beige, safe approach to news at a time when courage is required

This culture is organization wide. Leaders regularly profess want MPR to lead, but those who embraced risk,challenged the status quo of news production, and tried new things, were among the first people laid off. Employees got the message: keep your head down &, cash the check.

I recall one news boss, head of the department, who was frustrated one day about his inability to get organization bosses to live up to the prounouncements of what MPR should be."The problem is it's the old ladies who write the checks," he said."Nobody wants to piss them off."

To my knowledge, Marianne is the first journalist or manager in the 28 years I've known MPR to make a stand and quit over a journalism shortcoming. Which is pathetic given how many have been in that bloated management over the years.

Maybe you're wondering why you haven't hear much about this over the years. Simple. When they can you, you don't get severance unless you sign a form promising not to disparage MPR. The silence has been purchased. I know of only one person who refused to sign. He didn't get $

And there are truly great people who work in that department and the organizational culture isn't their fault per se. Who wants to walk in front of a speeding bus. MPR is a money juggernaut that's going to roll on no matter what.

When I first got to public radio, I was a veteran of commercial radio. This was back when commercial radio was a viable news source. It always angered me during pledge drives to hear disparaging comments about commercial radio and the money, because I'll tell you something:

There is no institution in journalism more influenced by money -- directly or indirectly -- thatn MPR.

By the way as a former editor, I'd love to see the story, if for nothing else than to see if the named perpetrator is given the opportunity to respond. If the Current manager responded. If the MPR management responded. Hard to believe legal would OK it without any of those.

And finally, what MPR News needs is a moral voice and compass again. It hasn't had one since Gary Eichten retired. He didn't dash out the door after his show was over. He went to the meetings and when he voiced concern about something was doing, you're damn right people listened.

Also, it would be good if the entire Board of Trustees -- a monied and privileged group if ever there was one -- didn't suck so bad.