Tennessee Tech defends 'pink slime' journalism professor hire

Tennessee Tech University is defending its hiring of a publisher who has managed and written for "pink slime" news websites bankrolled by conservative political action committees and accused of "pay-for-play" journalism.

Raw Story exclusively reported Thursday that Tennessee Tech had hired Kyle Barnett to teach journalism classes during the school's spring 2024 semester.

On Friday morning, Jonathan Frank, director of news and public relations for Tennessee Tech, sent a statement from Scott Christen, associate professor of communication studies and interim chair of the Department of Communication at Tennessee Tech, after not replying to Raw Story's multiple requests for comment on Wednesday and Thursday.

"I appreciate the diligent work of my colleagues on the hiring committee who reached a decision to offer appointment to Mr. Kyle Barnett as a lecturer in our communication department next semester," Christen said. "Mr. Barnett is a Louisiana Press Association award-winning communicator who brings more than 15 years of experience to his role, ranging from his time as a reporter and producer for Clear Channel Media (now iHeartMedia), to his roles as lecturer at Grambling State University and professor of journalism at Oklahoma City Community College."

Barnett, who is publicly cited as a publisher and general manager associated with publications run by Metric Media — a network of more than 1,300 local “pay-for-play” media websites that is reportedly funded by conservative and special interest PACs to push political agendas — is slated to teach three undergraduate journalism classes at Tennessee Tech University for the upcoming semester.

An online course catalog from Tennessee Tech — a public university with a student body of just over 10,000, according to its website — lists Barnett as the instructor for “mass comm/changing society,” “multimedia storytelling” and “advanced reporting.”

The Tennessee Tech Journalism Program website says that a journalism degree allows students to gain skills in "research, critical thinking, and effective communication."

"These skills enable journalists to gather and analyze information, ask probing questions, and present accurate and engaging news stories to the public. Secondly, a journalism degree offers a solid foundation in media ethics and professional standards, equipping graduates with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complex ethical considerations that arise in journalism. This ensures that journalists are equipped to report news responsibly and with integrity," the website says.

Barnett did not respond to Raw Story’s requests for comment.

Read the original investigation: ‘Too preposterous to be real’: College hires ‘pink slime’ publisher as journalism prof