Former MSNBC contributor Sam Seder said Tuesday that the network made a mistake cutting ties with him over a joke he tweeted in 2009 about director Roman Polanski, saying it allowed far-right activist Mike Cernovich to determine his fate.
“I’ve had thousands of tweets since 2009. There was context for those tweets. If they can’t make that assessment, if making that assessment is a bridge too far, they have no value as a news organization,” Seder told CNN.
TheWrap reported Monday that MSNBC would not renew its contract with Seder because of a 2009 tweet in which Seder attempted to mock those who would defend Polanski.
“Don’t care re Polanski, but I hope if my daughter is ever raped it is by an older truly talented man w/ a great sense of mise en scene,” Seder wrote in the since-deleted tweet.
{mosads}Polanski was arrested and charged in 1977 with raping a 13-year-old girl. He took a plea bargain that included pleading guilty to lesser charges but fled the U.S. when he learned he likely faced jail time. Polanski has lived in Europe ever since.
Cernovich referenced Seder’s comment on Twitter last month, asking why the media was ignoring it.
Cernovich, who is a Trump supporter and has pushed conspiracy theories such as “Pizzagate,” told CNN that MSNBC’s decision has encouraged him to sift through old tweets of other employees.
Seder maintains the tweet was intended to be satirical, adding his other tweets at the time provided context to prove as much.
More people need to be aware of Cernovich’s tactics, Seder told CNN, adding that he hopes he can be a cautionary tale.
“If you decide to let this guy be the arbiter of what is and is not appropriate, understand who he is,” Seder said.