Moderating the VP debate (for that matter, producing Washington Week) while having an economic stake in the outcome of the election creates at least the appearance of a conflict of interest. Obviously, if Obama wins, “Age of Obama” is set to be a big seller, and the timing of the release on Jan 20 clearly is intended to make the most of this. Safe to say a McCain swearing would depress her royalty payments a bunch.
The PBS Standards and Policies provide:
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J. Unprofessional Conduct
PBS expects producers to adhere to the highest professional standards. PBS may reject content if PBS has reason to believe that a producer has violated basic standards of professional conduct. Examples of unprofessional conduct by a producer include such things as plagiarism, fabrication, obtaining information by bribery or coercion, insensitivity to tragedy or grief, and real or perceived conflicts of interest such as accepting gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek to influence the producer's work.
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http://www.pbs.org/aboutpbs/aboutpbs_standards.html
Complaints for violations of the Standards and Policies should be directed to the PBS Ombudsman. http://www.pbs.org/ombudsman/
It could be that it should be investigated by the Inspector General of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. OIG complaints can be filed at http://www.cpb.org/oig/
Great find. PBS ultimately is accountable to the taxpayers therefore nothing will be done...