Employee Fired from ChristianTelevision Network Over Facebook Comments: Could This be a Wave of the Future?
Techyville.com Staff
Jonathan Rovetto, an employee of Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), was fired because he posted a comment on his Facebook wall, which criticized the ministry’s leadership. The Facebook comment drew the ire of founders, Jan and Paul Crouch, resulting in Mr. Rovetto’s dismissal as assistant station engineer.
Mr. Rovetto’s firing has raised legal issues such as, “Do employers have the right to censor what their employees post on Facebook?” Employers are asking their employees for their Facebook passwords and usernames in order to be able to read their posts! Some employers are going the distance and even asking employees to remove certain posts off their Facebook pages which employers deem “derogatory.” Is this an encroachment of the right to free speech? This is a murky area between the right to free speech and private activity versus the rights of employers.
The Facebook post, which resulted in Rovetto’s firing, centers around a legal battle between Jan and Paul Crouch and their granddaughter, Brittany Crouch Koper, regarding the misuse of ministry funds. Mr. Rovetto suspected he’d be fired by posting his thoughts on Facebook, but decided he had a right to air his opinion.
Mr. Rovetto had been following the developing legal case involving the Crouchs online. As he continued to follow the developments of the case, he himself became upset at each revelation. So he decided to post his annoyance on Facebook.
Here is Mr. Rovetto’s post:
“TBN, why should you care? Many people really dislike TBN and don’t watch. Over the years people have been turned off by Jan’s pink hair, screaming preachers during Praise-A-Thon, and the heavy concentration of ‘Prosperity Teachers’ that fill the TBN schedule.”
Although Mr. Rovetto gave the Crouchs credit for building TBN into a successful ministry, he also believes they’ve fallen prey to the erroneous kind of thinking that many successful ministers fall prey to – that of entitlement. They believe that all their hard work entitles them to a life of luxury and excess.
Mr. Rovetto ended his post by asking for people to pray for Brittany Crouch Koper.
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10 Responses to Employee Fired from ChristianTelevision Network Over Facebook Comments: Could This be a Wave of the Future?
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Mr Rovetto, is not automatically right, because he is an employee and there are guidlines and ethics in any organisation.
He ( Rovetto ), should have resigned respectfully, then he can state his resentment as a free agent.
It is not out of place to preach prosperity, because the God that created our universe did, put us ( humans ) in charge of all wealth, and all of his creation ( Genesis chapters 1&2).
Francis Ushie
July 11, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Jonathan Rovetto has a right to his opinion, however if you plan to work for me can’t tear me down. Firing is justifiable. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
wealthylady
July 11, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Mr. Rovetto should have minded his own business, and kept his thoughts and comments to himself. His dismissal was appropriate.
Theresa
July 11, 2012 at 2:52 pm
We must be aware of our actions at all times. While we have free speech we must remember not to bite the hand that feeds us. I mean what did he gain by voicing his opinion but unemployment? We need to use our common sence when it comes to free speech. If your free speech violates the GoldrenRule ” Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” then it just might not be free…it may be very costly. Now he has to suffer consequences that he may not have if he would have kept is opinion to himself. I mean people are not going to let you hurt their business that they have wirked hard to build. Employers dont blog about employees or they will be sued. Exposing facts is one thing but voicing an opinion is another. Just watch what you & do or be prepared to deal with the reactions that follow.
aslee
July 11, 2012 at 3:34 pm
The truth will come to the light. God is not pleased with the many hucksters of his gospel. They make a mockery of the gospel. For the love of money is the root of all evil as expressed by Paul in II Timothy 6:10. Certain segments of the church have become slaves to the all mighty dollar. They have brought into big corporate interests as the Republican Party. God and capitalism are not synonymous. We need to get back to the gospel-saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Leonard Jarvis
July 11, 2012 at 5:31 pm
Techyville Staff;
It is impossible to “center around,” since the center is the place from which everything radiates. You mean “revolves around.” The Crouch family is not the “Crouchs” [sic]; it is the “Crouches.”
Ruby from NJ
July 11, 2012 at 6:15 pm
I would like to take this time to extend to the author, my most sincere and hearthfelt thanks for bringing this most importent, breaking news story, to your faithful fans.
Satchel
July 12, 2012 at 2:34 am
Bad move on TBN’s behalf and it will cost them dearly. Pride and the felling of entitlement will destroy everything you worked hard to build.
Scot McKenzie
July 12, 2012 at 2:55 pm
He is entitled to his opinion a should able to voice his opinion on his OWN facebook page! People usually get offended when truth is told and the truth is not in their favor!!!
Deme
July 14, 2012 at 1:01 am
You’re dam skimpy. Someone has to watch the fox who is taking advantage of the chickens!Hurray for Mr. Rovetto.
Liz
July 14, 2012 at 4:19 am