Former CNN and NBC media reporter Dylan Byers, now with the upstart Puck News, uncorked a hot scoop at National Public Radio. He obtained an internal memo sent to NPR employees on Thursday underlining an uber-strict COVID policy.
“NPR is maintaining a very strict mask policy, and has set up an HR tip line for employees to report on colleagues who are not adhering to guidelines—with the possible result of discipline and even termination,” Byers tweeted.
The memo he shared is titled “Safety Protocol Reminders and Tips Enforcement.” It asks people to confront their free-faced colleagues about masking -- as in "why don't you just wear a MAGA hat if you're not going to wear your mask?"
“Enforcement: We have asked on-site supervisors to remind staff of the masking requirements when needed,” the memo states. “Masking is still required, unless recording alone in a studio, working alone in an office with the door closed, or actively eating or drinking. (And “actively” does not mean occasionally drinking from a water bottle.)”
Remember, NPR thinks conservatives are the authoritarians who want to run your life. It continues "Any extremely rare exceptions to these rules require advance approval."
The memo adds that surely no one at NPR is rebellious about this:
If you notice someone has forgotten their mask, you might tell them, “Hey, you forgot your mask.” It’s actually helping the person to be reminded. Nobody is intentionally trying to evade the rules. And if you are reminded to wear your mask, say, “Thank you!”
Alternatively, let your supervisor or your HRBP know and they can remind that person. You can also share an anonymous concern via the EthicsPoint system via [REDACTED] and HR will address your concern promptly but that’s not the best option for an immediate fix.
It's important to note that NPR made a big deal out of loosening rules and letting NPR staffers go to big protests in the streets "for the freedom and dignity of human beings" (no mask mandate there), but they are tightening the screws on this. Bonus: NPR employees can wear left-wing messaging masks, like Nina Totenberg wearing an RBG mask for the RBG funeral:
It seemed to me that an #RBG mask was appropriate today pic.twitter.com/K2LIOPhGXw
— Nina Totenberg (@NinaTotenberg) September 23, 2020
The memo also states employees’ “failure to comply with our masking requirement may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.” Can you imagine someone getting fired from taxpayer-funded radio for "failure to comply" with mask mandates?
NPR is maintaining a very strict mask policy, and has set up an HR tip line for employees to report on colleagues who are not adhering to guidelines—with the possible result of discipline and even termination. This is from a memo sent out today: pic.twitter.com/eRRSgDCaxw
— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) May 19, 2022
Other journalists mocked the Big Brother echoes in this memo. Mike Glenn at The Washington Times:
I'm surprised (not) that #NPR has a snitch line for employees to rat out their colleagues for not wearing a mask. Is there some kind of reward? I mean, beyond being in the good graces of Big Brother and all.
— Mike Glenn (@mrglenn) May 19, 2022
There's one more obvious point: with this kind of extreme enforcement regime, it is any surprise that NPR's actual on-air reporting is very hostile to curbing mask mandates, as in lining up experts who prefer a "strong, centralized health policy."
The public transportation mask mandate was ended due to the word, "sanitation." The judge who struck down the mandate said that masks do not qualify under the definition.
— NPR (@NPR) April 28, 2022
This decision, according to experts, was flawed and now puts America at risk. https://t.co/OPf0AvY6QK
Wear your mask at NPR! Or put America at risk!
