In Depth: Is Shannon High-Bassalik on the outs at MSNBC?

For nearly a year, ICN has been hearing periodic rumors of trouble regarding MSNBC Managing Editor Shannon High-Bassalik. High-Bassalik was hired in September 2007 as part of the switchover from Dan Abrams to Phil Griffin. I’d been hearing stories of repeated complaints from some of the Dayside talent to High-Bassalik about Dayside’s coverage. I’d been hearing from primetime sources that High-Basslik had, thankfully, nothing to do with MSNBC Primetime. High-Basslik supposedly produced MSNBC’s daily 2008 post Olympics wrap up show which was widely trashed by the critics as a train wreck. And there was what I call the “American Producer Idol” period where High-Bassalik was doing producer try-outs to try and jump start Dayside. But I also heard that High-Bassalik had a multi-year deal so, though there had been persistent rumblings which really heated up in the latter half of last year that she was in trouble, only to subsequently quiet down by the end of 2008, I decided there was not likely going to be any changes made. And I wasn’t going to go out on a limb on a story like this without evidence.

However all that changed a little over a week ago. I first heard noises that MSNBC was thinking of bringing at the very least “help” in for her. An internal email was sent out to staff regarding new job postings, one of which included an Editorial position, and asked if anyone was interested or knew anyone who would be interested. After hearing this I searched the job openings on the web today looking for such a position and sure enough, within the last week one was posted. MSNBC is now looking to hire an Executive Editor

The Executive Editor is responsible for the oversight of the editorial integrity and vision of MSNBC Dayside. Will run editorial meetings on a daily basis and follow through on the execution of decisions made at those meetings. Monitor breaking news and developing stories and adapt rundowns and guests/correspondent bookings as appropriate. Provide insight to the futures planning process..

Based upon what I’ve heard and read, this is basically what High-Bassalik was already doing. So why bring in someone else to do what she’s been doing unless MSNBC isn’t happy with what she’s been doing? Or is there another reason for the job duty overlap? High-Bassalik was Phil Griffin’s first big hire when he took over MSNBC’s reins and Griffin, in my opinion, went out on a limb at the time calling her an “All Star”. Now, apparently, that star has faded. The question is, is High-Bassalik done at MSNBC or will she now have a “helper” in the form of this Executive Editor, or will she be re-assigned to other duties inside MSNBC?