Jeff Golden Steps Down As Host of Jefferson Exchange
Recent news accounts reporting on the potential candidacy of Jefferson Public Radio (JPR) program host Jeff Golden for U.S. Senate have prompted a mutual decision by JPR and Jeff for Jeff to step down as host of JPR’s Jefferson Exchange program at this time.
The decision was made in order to avoid the appearance that JPR’s airtime was being used in any way to unfairly advantage Mr. Golden as a candidate and to maintain the public’s trust that JPR covers issues in a way that considers all political viewpoints without either a real or perceived conflict of interest.
In announcing this decision, Jeff Golden stated, “I think JPR owes it to its listeners and members to avoid giving advantages of any kind to possible political candidates, and four hours of air time every day is plainly an advantage. In addition, the Jefferson Exchange host has to be free to go wherever the conversation leads without concern about a perceived conflict of interest. After recent stories about my potential candidacy appeared in print I noticed I was editing my on-air comments to stay within professional standards. That just won’t work. I will be letting JPR know my decision about becoming a candidate as soon as I make it.”
JPR Executive Director Ronald Kramer agrees adding, “JPR is committed to using its airtime toward building a stronger democratic society by enhancing the civic discourse of our region in a way that ensures all perspectives are expressed and considered free from the perception of any partisan political purpose or conflict of interest. I share Jeff’s concern that recent developments make it impossible for him to host the Jefferson Exchange without doing injury to that principle.”
Commencing June 29, 2007 the Jefferson Exchange will be hosted by a number of interim hosts, including KDRV’s Geoffrey Riley among others.
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