Melissa Harris-Perry traded in her anchor gig on the popular cable news network, MSNBC for her ‘freedom of speech’ instead. On Sunday, [Feb.28] the network issued an announcement ‘parting way’s with the ‘MHP show ‘ but no one really knew what sparked the sudden news. Allegedly, the news came a few days after a ‘leaked’ email went public on Friday, Feb. 26th. It was Melissa’s email to her co-workers stating that her show was pre-empted for two consecutive weekends in light of the 2016 election campaign.
” After Four Years Of Building An Audience, Developing a Brand And Developing Trust With Our Viewers, We Were Effectively And Utterly Silenced. – MHP “
Yesterday morning [March 1st] Melissa took to twitter to set the record straight over her alleged ‘firing at MSNBC, and she was brutally honest about the ‘behind the scenes’ shenanighans that were taking place up until she made her exit from ‘work place’ she called home for four years.
Melissa explained to CNN that MSNBC wanted her to sign a non-disparagement agreement [aka gag order] in which Melissa could ONLY speak about her ‘MHP show’ and the network in a positive light.
” The Decision To Cancel My Show, Has Strong Racial Implications Because It Silenced A Show That Promoted Diverse Perspectives.
They Wanted Us To Cover Politics In The Narrowest Sense. I Told My Team, We Can’t Allow Our Show To Go Off Air And Then Provide Racial Cover By Having Me Continue To Host The Show So People See The Little Black Girl Up There. – MHP “
Senior Vice President of talent and diversity, Yvette Miley says that the ‘MHP show’ like others were pre-empted in order to focus on the 2016 presidential primary contest and alleges that they were no plans to cancel the MHP show nor remove Melissa of editorial control. However Melissa’s husband, James Perry tells and different tale.
Note to @YvetteMiley & Phil if I cc u on email Tue & it’s leaked to press on Friday maybe I’m not the unpredictable one. #GetYourLeaksPhil
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) March 1, 2016
James admits that the network never issued the ‘pink slip’ but they displayed similar ‘tactics’ to previous hosts /shows that ‘disappeared’ quietly from the network.
” Over The Past Year, A lot Of Employees Have ‘Disappeared From MSNBC, And What We’ve Observed Is There Is A Clear Process For How They’ve Been Disappeared. You Get Taken Out Of The System And Your Name As A Host Is Taken Out Of It As Well. And Then When You Communicate And Ask Them About It, You Don’t Get Any Response ” – JP
A few apologies: @MartinBashir @Toure @finneyk I am sorry for and ashamed of my earlier silence. I gave into to culture of fear at #msnbc
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) March 1, 2016
Melissa says reach out to her senior executives back in November just before the holiday break on the status of her show and its re-airing time in the 2016 year, and she received no response.
” I Support Everyone In My Family, And I Had To Ask,
Do I Have A Job. MHP “
In a series of tweets, Melissa has aired out her side of the story, and she is currently celebrating her freedom.
One of the unintended consequences of salary inequity– harder to get us to take one of those non-disclosure payoffs huh? #freedomovermoney
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) March 1, 2016
To be sure, hosting @MHPshow was one of the greatest joys of my professional life-a weekly privilege for 4 years. #NerdlandForever
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) March 1, 2016
Failures on @MHPshow were mine & nearly everything good belonged to brilliant team of producers, researchers, interns. #NerdlandForever
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) March 1, 2016
#MSNBC says they would put their diversity “up against everyone else in the news business.” It’s a low bar. pic.twitter.com/dwlaNbsLU9
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) March 1, 2016
So #MSNBC y’all keep making cable great again. I’ll be staying challenging & unpredictable. #NerdlandForever pic.twitter.com/BCDOBLfITm
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) March 1, 2016
5pm. Pushing back from pointless “negotiations” like … pic.twitter.com/bqa6l3uzXD
— Melissa Harris-Perry (@MHarrisPerry) March 1, 2016
A Tweet, A Tweet, That’s All Plums!