Not that there's anything wrong with that
NPR is in the hot seat after censoring a movie review that named allegedly gay politicians. Cringely asks, why is it OK to call people alleged murderers, but not homosexuals?
Follow @ifw_cringelyThe new documentary "Outrage" has provoked a small bit of outrage itself, after editors at NPR.org censored a review of the film, which aspires to "out" conservative politicians who are allegedly closeted gays.
Yes, that NPR. The home of Terry Gross, Click and Clack, and "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me." The cherished radio respite of croissant-munching, Volvo-driving, double-soy-mocha-latte lovers everywhere.
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It's like finding out Mr. Rogers strangled puppies or that Oprah is really a man.
Filmmaker Kirby Dick's "Outrage" aims to point out the hypocrisy of politicians who consistently vote against gay rights legislation and funding for AIDS research while secretly enjoying the forbidden fruit, so to speak. The film names several allegedly gay politicians, and so did NPR film reviewer Nathan Lee -- until his editors neutered it, removing the references to all not-solidly-confirmed-as-homosexual politicos featured in the film.
Strangely, however, the review continues to feature the mug shot of Senator Larry Craig, esteemed Republican from the great state of Idaho and the third bathroom stall on the left in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, even after excising his name from the story.
Lee asked that his byline be removed from the piece, which the editors did. He then posted a comment to the review explaining why he asked his name be removed, in which he again identifies the three politicians who got cut out. NPR sent his comment into the ether as well (but not before IndieWire captured a barely legible screenshot of it).
There is enough irony here for everyone to get a second helping. For example, here's how the edited review handles this dicey subject:
