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MSNBC has declined to renew its contributor contract with prominent liberal commentator Joan Walsh, and many liberals — including more than one MSNBC host — are not happy with the decision. Walsh tweeted about the decision on Saturday morning.
So it’s true: after 12 years on MSNBC, six on contract, I learned Friday night they are not renewing. I’ve given my… https://t.co/OKhIDxOEhd— Joan Walsh (@Joan Walsh) 1514040638.0
MSNBC did not issue a comment or official explanation for the decision.
Walsh is the former editor of Salon and a current correspondent for The Nation. She is also the author of a book titled "What's the Matter with White People?: Finding Our Way in the Next America." She is an extremely outspoken progressive on Twitter, where her tweets have made her a target of frequent criticism by prominent conservatives.
Given her lengthy history in the liberal movement, Walsh has a large number of prominent supporters on the left, and the hashtag #KeepJoanWalsh was trending on Twitter Friday night.
Among prominent liberals who criticized the decision were at least two MSNBC hosts, Joy Reid and Chris Hayes:
.@joanwalsh was the first person to ever pay me to write, back when she was the editor of @salon. She is now my fri… https://t.co/Cb4epoFYbt— Joy Reid (@Joy Reid) 1514008320.0
@joanwalsh @Salon It's incredibly short sighted to sideline voices like Joan's, especially now. Especially given th… https://t.co/nQWJC66ueG— Joy Reid (@Joy Reid) 1514008587.0
@joanwalsh is indispensable.— Chris Hayes (@Chris Hayes) 1514042877.0
An NBC spokesman did not immediately return a request for comment on this story.
(H/T Mediaite)
