Ethical Questions as Psaki Negotiates Job with MSNBC

Reporters from other agencies asked questions about the ethics of negotiating a new media job from her position at the podium.

According to Daily Caller:

Psaki has reportedly coordinated with MSNBC executives about hosting a show on the network and NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, Peacock. She has worked closely with compliance lawyers and White House counsel about her future employment plans to ensure no regulations are violated.

Advertisement

CBS News White House correspondent Ed O’Keefe and Weekend Today co-chief White House correspondent Kristen Welker both questioned Psaki on the ethical standards of negotiating with a media outlet from the podium. The press secretary said she takes ethical standards “very seriously” and has received ethics counseling surrounding future employment.

“I would say that, again, I have taken the ethical requirements very seriously and any discussions and any considerations about any future employment just as any White House official would and have taken steps beyond that to ensure there’s no conflicts.”

Welker further pressed how it is ethical to negotiate with media outlets from the podium and whether it is the policy of the White House to have staffers communicate with private sector industries that directly impact their current job positions.

“Well, there are a range of stringent ethical and legal requirements that are imposed on everybody and this administration, and many administrations past, about any conversations you’re having with future employers. That is true of any industry you’re working in and I have abided by those and tried to take steps to go beyond that as well,” she said.

She is allowed to continue working for the White House during negotiations because she has not yet signed a contract with the network, people familiar with those policies said.