Not our petitions, NPR says

NPR released a statement today (July 30) to Poynter Institute blogger Jim Romenesko, that it is "not involved in any way" with petitions circulating online that ask the White House Correspondents Association to give now-retired longtime reporter Helen Thomas's front-row seat in the White House briefing room to the network. Petitions have been put forward by CREDO Action, a progressive advocacy site; it already has 254,218 signatures to give the chair to NPR rather than FOX News. Another progressive online group, MoveOn.org, is also getting involved. "NPR was not consulted about either petition and we learned about them via Facebook and e-mail. We have no position on the petitions, and no comment on the other media organizations that are competing for the seat," the statement said. NPR formally requested the seat July 14.