How will Fox handle their employees running for office?

Politico asks an interesting question: “How does a news organization cover White House hopefuls when so many are on the payroll?”

Despite the assumptions, the question is somewhat relevant. But let’s start by saying that no one has declared a candidacy, meaning this is all hypothetical. Politico hints that Palin, Gingrich, Santorum, and Huckabee are going to run, which is a guess. (Even though most have denied it at this juncture, I have to think it is a possibility.)

But for the sake of the story, let’s just say they do. At issue are Palin’s, Gingrich’s, Santorum’s, and Huckabee’s Fox News contracts, which more-or-less prohibit them from appearing on other networks without Fox’s permission while still employees of Fox.

Fox has kept a tight grip, and usually doesn’t budge. And as a business decision, Fox can’t be faulted: they pay their people (I’m sure) good money to only be on Fox. You want to hear Palin, go to Fox. I don‘t think that’s wrong.

The more interesting question is, should any one of them decide to run, is there a conflict of interest? The answer is yes. Fox has a vested interest in them doing well — again, that’s a business thing.

But I don’t think it will come to that. Palin, Gingrich, Santorum, and Huckabee are stand-up people, and I believe that they will end their contracts when it becomes obvious they will run.

Which, surprise, is how Fox responded to Politico: “Fox, in an e-mail to POLITICO, indicated that once any of the candidates declares for the presidency he or she will have to sever the deal with the network.”

So, in the end, isn’t this just really a non-issue? Did other media outlets just want to complain about contracts that leave them in the dark until official declaration and used Politico to do so? You have to wonder…

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How will your employees that runs for Office handle Fox?

Politico  asks an interesting question: "how a news organization can cover the White House hopefuls with so many in Payroll?"

Despite assumptions, this issue is something important. But let's begin by saying that no one has declared a candidacy, which means that this is all hypothetical. Politics suggest that Palin, Gingrich, Santorum, Huckabee are to become candidates, which is an assumption. (Although most have denied it at this time, I have that thinking as a possibility).

But for the sake of history, let's say that they do. For Palin, Gingrich, Santorum and Huckabee  Fox News contracts in question, that more or less prohibit them appearances on other networks without the permission of Fox while still employed by Fox.

Fox has maintained a tight grip and generally not moved. Yet as a business decision, Fox has no errors: pay their people (I am sure) good money to be only on Fox. Want to listen to Palin? Go to Fox. I do not think that this is an error.

The more interesting question is whether any of them chose to run, there is a conflict of interest? The answer is a resounding yes!

Fox has interest in them doing well - once again, that is a thing of business.

But I don't think that Palin, Gingrich, Santorum and Huckabee are stand-up people, and I think that it will end their contracts when it is clear that they will be running for public office.

The surprise is how Fox responded to the politician question: "“Fox, in an e-mail to POLITICO, indicated that once any of the candidates declares for the presidency he or she will have to sever the deal with the network.”

Thus, in the end, isn't this really a problem? General media only wanted to complain about contracts that keep us left in the dark until the official statement. One has to wonder...

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