Bashir Quits MSNBC After Palin Comments

bashirMSNBC host Martin Bashir resigned on Dec. 4, following incendiary comments about former Gov. Sarah Palin last month.

Bashir on his weekday afternoon show in November called Palin a "world class idiot" for comparing the U.S. borrowing money from China to slavery, and suggested she eat excrement, a slave punishment. He previously apologized after the comments sparked outrage, and was on paid leave at the network.

"It is my sincere hope that all of my colleagues, at this special network, will be allowed to focus on the issues that matter without the distraction of myself or my ill-judged comments," Bashir said in a statement announcing his resignation.

MSBC chief Phil Griffin thanked Bashir for his three years of work at the network: "Martin is a good man and respected colleague – we wish him only the best."

Palin told Fox News Channel on Dec. 5 that she accepts the apology and wants to "move on."

Rolling Stone Slates Country Site

Rolling Stone parent Wenner Media is planning to unveil a country music outlet, Rolling Stone Country, by the second quarter of 2014, according to Ad Age.

Gus Wenner, who heads rollingstone.com, said the site will aim to cover the country music scene in a similar vein to RS' coverage of rock and pop.

A Nashville office is on tap with 10-15 editorial staffers, Wenner told Ad Age.

Advance Mulls NJ News Consolidation

Advance Publications is considering consolidating its New Jersey news properties including the Star-Ledger and NJ.com in a bid to reconsider its "strategic director."

Star-Ledger publisher Richard Vezza told the paper that changes in frequency of publication or home delivery are not under consideration. He cited "channel conflict" between Advance's properties in the state. "We've got a big daily newspaper, some smaller dailies and several weeklies and an online company," he said, noting Advance wants to find ways for the properties to work together.

Combining sales forces and reorganizing news operations are among moves being considered.

China Media Crackdown Roils Biden

Vice President Joe Biden ripped Chinese treatment of media on Dec. 5 in a visit to the country, telling the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing that innovation " thrive[s] where people breathe freely, speak freely, are able to challenge orthodoxy, where newspapers can report the truth without fear of consequences."

Media traveling with Biden reported that the vice president raised the issue with President Xi Jinping and other officials of dozens of U.S. journalists who will have to leave the country because their visas have not been renewed.

"We have many disagreements, and some profound disagreements, on some of those issues right now, in the treatment of U.S. journalists," Biden told the business group.

The New York Times said the paper and Bloomberg, which have covered Chinese corruption scandals in recent months, have nearly two dozen journalists with visas that expire next month, adding China has declined to act to renew the documents.

Biden told reporters that the Chinese president "appeared unmoved" and insisted reporters are treated according to Chinese law.

Atlantic Taps Branded Ad Specialist Rosen

Sam Rosen, VP and director of social content for DigitasLBi, has joined The Atlantic in Washington as VP of marketing.

Rosen, who joined the publication Dec. 6, will lead brand strategy and oversee its integrated marketing team, which develops custom ads.

Publisher Haley Romer said Rosen was an early innovator and is a leader in branded content.

He previously ran his own shop, Evolution.is.

Bunker to NBC's Silicon Valley Affiliate

Peggy Bunker, anchor of morning and 11 a.m. news at KOMO4 Seattle, has moved to NBC Bay Area in San Jose, Calif., as anchor/reporter.

She anchors the station's midday newscast at 11 a.m. serves as general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor for its morning show, "Today in The Bay."