Brian J. Pedersen, frequent Tucson Weekly contributor and former employee of the Arizona Daily Star, was mentioned, in a sideways fashion, in a New York Times article discussing whether or not speech posted on the Internet is protected by law, according to the National Labor Relations Board.

In Pedersen’s case, they felt it wasn’t:

The N.L.R.B. had far less sympathy for a police reporter at The Arizona Daily Star.

Frustrated by a lack of news, the reporter posted several Twitter comments. One said, “What?!?!?! No overnight homicide. … You’re slacking, Tucson.” Another began, “You stay homicidal, Tucson.”

The newspaper fired the reporter, and board officials found the dismissal legal, saying the posts were offensive, not concerted activity and not about working conditions.

You can find Pedersen’s comments about the firing and subsequent actions here and here.

Pedersen had this to say today via Twitter:

Got cited by a major international media outlet as an example of how not to use Twitter. What did YOU accomplish today? #strangelyproud

On a related note, make sure to check out this week’s cover feature, written by Pedersen!

This article appears in Jan 17-23, 2013.

3 replies on “Tucson Weekly Contributor Brian Pedersen Was Obliquely Mentioned in NY Times For Using Twitter Badly”

  1. Oh come on, poor Brian. They will never let him live that down. However, I too, am strangely proud of him.

  2. This, the above, is unfortunate, no doubt and agreed.

    But lets us also take a look at The Tucson Police Department’s media site, Roberto Villasenor’s site, Richard Miranda’s site, Regina Romero’s site, Karin Ulich’s site, Mayor Jonathon Rothschild’s site, Sgt.Maria Hawke’s site, Fabio’s site, Matt’s site, that is, the TPD Facebook page at:

    https://www.facebook.com/TucsonPoliceDepar…

    there we find:

    ** Deshon Carter: “ha glad to see a bitch ass nigga locked up lucky i didnt get to u first!!!!”
    January 18 at 11:16am

    ** Clay Yaright: “Nah. Lets hunt them for sport.”
    January 17 at 9:44am

    ** Clarence Ragland: “Neabderthal, look at his head!”
    January 17 at 1:00pm

    What kind of a police department would facilitate these comments?

  3. Red Star asks, “What kind of a police department would facilitate these comments?”

    One that respects the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution, no matter how odious the comments?

    Comments – appreciatively – noted as “odious” in your post.

    Actually, if they hadn’t been published, you likely wouldn’t have anything to post today.

    🙂

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