For journalists, drawing the line between professional responsibility and individual activism has always been tough. The Occupy Wall Street activity in D.C. has a brand new spokesperson - Lisa Simeone. Simeone, however, is also hired as a freelance reporter. Resource for this article: NPR host Lisa Simeone facing questions about political activism

NPR doesn’t pay

The representative for Occupy D.C. which has to do with Occupy Wall Street is radio reporter Lisa Simeone, press noticed recently. As reported by Simeone, she is a freelancer. That is why NPR should not care what her place is.

“I’m a freelancer. NPR doesn’t pay me. I’m also not a news reporter. I don’t cover politics. I’ve never brought a whiff of my political activities into the work I’ve done for NPR World of Opera.

What Lisa Simeone has done for the company

Lisa Simeone is a long-time host and journalist for NPR affiliated radio stations. Nationwide Public Radio is a large nationwide news organization that has affiliates around the country. NPR stations and other organizations such as Public Radio International air programs on these stations. Lisa Simeone was used for two shows. These show involved “World of Opera” and “Soundprint.”

Kicked off 'Soundpoint'

”Soundpoint” will air on WAMU. The producer, WDAV, has kicked out Simeone. WAMU has a strict code of ethics. It states that:

“NPR [and WAMU] journalists may not engage in public relations work, paid or unpaid. Exceptions may be made for certain volunteer nonprofit, nonpartisan activities, such as participating in the work of a church, synagogue or other institution of worship, or a charitable organization, so long as this would not conflict with the interests of NPR [and WAMU] in reporting on activities related to that institution or organization.”

A discussion about “World of Opera” is still taking place. NPR may no longer allow the 9-year-old program to continue

Articles cited

Poynter: http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/romenesko/150174/npr-investigating-host-who-has-become-spokesperson-for-occupy-dc/

NPR: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thisisnpr/2011/10/20/141548554/correcting-media-inaccuracies

RollCall: http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_43/Breaking-the-Code-of-Ethics-209564-1.html?ET=rollcall:e11085:80123373a:&st=email&pos=ehoh

SoundPoint Radio: http://soundprint.org/radio/