A company-wide email from Comcast executives, sent to everyone working at NBCUniversal on Friday morning, mourns right-wing pundit Charlie Kirks death and reminds employees that saying the wrong thing about Kirks legacy can get you fired swiftly.The email, obtained by 404 Media and first reported by Variety, has the subject line A message from Brian Roberts, Mike Cavanagh, and Mark Lazarus. In it, the executives eulogize Kirk, calling him an advocate for open debate, whose faith was important to him.Roberts is the Chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation, Cavanagh is the president, and Lazarus is the prospective CEO of VERSANT, Comcasts new spinoff that will include the majority of its NBCUniversal cable network portfolio. NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo and more journalistic and entertainment properties are under the NBCUniversal umbrella.You may have seen that MSNBC recently ended its association with a contributor who made an unacceptable and insensitive comment about this horrific event, the executives wrote. That coverage was at odds with fostering civil dialogue and being willing to listen to the points of view of those who have differing opinions.Do you have information about how your company is speaking to employees about Charlie Kirk's death, or political speech in general? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at sam.404. Otherwise, send me an email at sam@404media.co.Political analyst Matthew Dowd was fired from MSNBC on Wednesday after speaking about Kirks death on air. During a broadcast on Wednesday following the shooting, anchor Katy Tur asked Dowd about the environment in which a shooting like this happens, according to Variety. Dowd answered: Hes been one of the most divisive, especially divisive younger figures in this, who is constantly sort of pushing this sort of hate speech or sort of aimed at certain groups. And I always go back to, hateful thoughts lead to hateful words, which then lead to hateful actions. And I think that is the environment we are in. You cant stop with these sort of awful thoughts you have and then saying these awful words and not expect awful actions to take place. And thats the unfortunate environment we are in.MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler issued an apology in response, calling Dowds words inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable. Dowd also apologized publicly, posting on Bluesky: On an earlier appearance on MSNBC I was asked a question on the environment we are in. I apologize for my tone and words. Let me be clear, I in no way intended for my comments to blame Kirk for this horrendous attack.Charlie Kirk Was Not Practicing Politics the Right WayThe mainstream media seems entirely uninterested in explaining Charlie Kirks work.404 MediaJason KoeblerMSNBC is a division of NBCUniversal. The letter from Comcast executives reiterates to current employees that their jobs are on the line if they stray from bland, milquetoast statements about a man who spent his life fomenting hate will have consequences on their careers. The entire mainstream media environment has been working overtime to sanitize Kirks legacy since his murdera legacy that includes targeted harassment of professors at schools across the country and normalizing the notion that basic human rights are up for debate.The full email is below.Dear Comcast NBCUniversal Team,The tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old father, husband, and advocate for open debate, whose faith was important to him, reminds us of the fragility of life and the urgent need for unity in our nation. Our hearts are heavy, as his passing leaves a grieving family and a country grappling with division. There is no place for violence or hate in our society.You may have seen that MSNBC recently ended its association with a contributor who made an unacceptable and insensitive comment about this horrific event. That coverage was at odds with fostering civil dialogue and being willing to listen to the points of view of those who have differing opinions. We should be able to disagree, robustly and passionately, but, ultimately, with respect. We need to do better.Charlie Kirk believed that "when people stop talking, really bad stuff starts." Regardless of whether you agreed with his political views, his words and actions underscore the urgency to maintain a respectful exchange of ideas a principle we must champion. We believe in the power of communication to bring us together. Today, that belief feels more vital than ever. Something essential has fractured in our public discourse, and as a company that values the power of information, we have a responsibility to help mend it.As employees, we ask you to embody our values in your work and communities. We should engage with respect, listen, and treat people with kindness.