around the region INTERVIEWS AND PHOTOS BY TIMOTHY LINDEN
Viewp int John Thomas
Takoma Park, Md. Employers have the right to hire and fire whomever they please. When actors work for a television or film company, they have a certain obligation to promote their companies in the way the executives deem fit. I don’t believe Robertson’s GQ interview was one in which he was speaking for himself; he was being interviewed as a star of the Duck Dynasty reality television show. Therefore, he wasn’t speaking for himself as a person – he was giving an interview on behalf of the show. A&E has the right to deal with its employees and ensure that they represent the channel in a proper manner.
Deborah Hill
Laurel, Md. Robertson, like everyone else, is entitled to his own opinion. But he works for a large television channel and must adhere to that company’s guidelines. It’s sad that it turned out the way it did, but one’s freedom of speech should be monitored in the workplace. We all have our opinions and are free to say what we want, but we must be responsible and not offend anyone when we’re speaking on behalf of, or representing a company.
TELEVISION CHANNEL A&E SUSPENDED REALITY TELEVISION STAR PHIL ROBERTSON AFTER HE MADE WHAT SOME CONSIDER NEGATIVE REMARKS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH GQ MAGAZINE. ROBERTSON’S SUSPENSION SPARKED A NATIONWIDE DEBATE ABOUT FREE SPEECH IN THE WORKPLACE. WHILE HE WAS EVENTUALLY REINSTATED, DID YOU AGREE WITH HIS SUSPENSION?
Sheila Fortune
Washington, D.C. Freedom of speech should be limited in the workplace, because you really don’t want to offend anyone. And as a Christian, we’re told to love everyone, regardless of their values, ethnicities and sexual orientation. As an employee, you represent a company, and your speech should respect the lifestyles and choices of others. You’re free to voice your opinions when you’re not at work and speaking to someone on a personal basis.
Jonathan Smith
Upper Marlboro, Md. There should be limits on what one can say in the workplace. When you’re a new employee, you’re given a set of rules and regulations that you must follow if you’re to be a part of that business. A surgeon has ethics and guidelines that he or she must follow when they step into the operating room. Once you accept employment, you must also accept your employer’s rules. If those rules say that you must not speak negatively about a certain group, you have to follow those rules.
Marcia Plummer
Silver Spring, Md. I think it’s sad that you can’t really express your personal opinion about an issue. If Phil Robertson was asked his opinion about homosexuality on the television show, then I could understand A&E’s suspension, but he was not. He offered his opinion during an interview, off of the air. An employee doesn’t represent their company 24 hours a day. In this instance, he wasn’t speaking on behalf of his employer, and he should be able to say what he really feels.
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The Washington Informer
January 9, - January 15, 2014
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