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NBC News has backtracked on its decision to hire former Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel as a political analyst following widespread criticism from on-air personalities and staff.
The network’s chairman, Cesar Conde, announced the reversal in an email to staff members, acknowledging the concerns raised by many and taking full responsibility for the decision.
“There is no doubt that the last several days have been difficult for the News Group. After listening to the legitimate concerns of many of you, I have decided that Ronna McDaniel will not be an NBC News contributor,” NBCUniversal Group Chairman Cesar Conde said in an email to staff members Tuesday.
“I want to personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down. While this was a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team, I approved it and take full responsibility for it,” Conde wrote.
The move to sever ties with McDaniel comes in response to an extraordinary public protest from prominent figures within NBC News, including Rachel Maddow, who urged the network to reconsider the hiring.
McDaniel’s appointment sparked controversy due to her vocal support for former President Donald Trump’s baseless claims about the 2020 presidential election. Her involvement in a phone call with Republican canvassers in Michigan, where she reportedly joined Trump in pressuring them not to certify the election results, further fueled doubts about her credibility.
While defending her actions during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” McDaniel faced criticism from NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd, who highlighted her credibility issues.
Conde emphasized NBC News’ commitment to diversity of viewpoints but acknowledged that McDaniel’s hiring did not align with the network’s standards, given the concerns raised about her stance on election integrity.
The decision to part ways with McDaniel underscores the network’s sensitivity to maintaining journalistic integrity and credibility, particularly in the current political climate.
The move also reflects the broader debate within media organizations about the role of political operatives as analysts and commentators, with some arguing that hiring figures like McDaniel could inadvertently lend credibility to misinformation and undermine the integrity of election coverage.
