The word from MSNBC:
Msnbc TV host Keith Olbermann was suspended indefinitely on Friday for making campaign donations to three Democratic congressional candidates, apparently in violation of NBC News ethics policy.
The announcement came in a one-sentence statement from msnbc TV President Phil Griffin: “I became aware of Keith’s political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay.”
From NBC’s policy on the matter:
Like most news organizations, NBC News, parent of msnbc TV, prohibits political contributions by its journalists without prior approval of the president. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture of NBC News and Microsoft.)
“Anyone working for NBC News who takes part in civic or other outside activities may find that these activities jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist because they may create the appearance of a conflict of interest,” it reads. “Such activities may include participation in or contributions to political campaigns or groups that espouse controversial positions. You should report any such potential conflicts in advance to, and obtain prior approval of, the president of NBC News or his designee.”
Will this be temporary? Permanent? Unclear.
UPDATE: Lots of intriguing things going on over this. Bill Kristol comes out in defense of Olbermann (along similar lines as Jonah). Kristol points out that MSNBC’s parent companies make plenty of political donations, and wonders — a bit conspiratorially — whether NBC, in the midst of a potential mega-merger with Comcast, was quick on the draw in an effort to curry favor with the new Republican House.
Also, Olbermann’s replacement tonight? Chris Hayes of The Nation. Josh Gerstein notes that Hayes gave at least $1750 to progressive Alabama congressional candidate Joshua Segall in 08-09, and $250 to Illinois Democrat Tom Geoghegan, who lost a Democratic primary to replace Rahm Emanuel in the House.
UPDATE II: Mediaite: “Insiders we’ve talked to say Olbermann won’t be back. The question is whether he’ll leave or MSNBC keeps him off the air.”
Yes, it's easy to understand that NBC wouldn't want Olbermann to do anything to "jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial journalist..."
We all like to maintain our illusions.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWow! I tried to watch MSNBC coverage for returns on Election night... equal parts curiosity and self punishment...
It was so petulant and childish that I couldn't stomach it. Guess that network realized what a farce it has become and took action to punish an apparent conflict of interest...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMSNBC considers Olbermann a journalist? You've got to be kidding. His commentaries reveal his politics far more than any contributions could.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"The announcement came in a one-sentence statement from msnbc TV President Phil Griffin: 'I became aware of Keith’s political contributions late last night. Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended him indefinitely without pay.'"
Liberals still have problems counting, don't they?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYou know, a fair policy would be similar to that used by Fox Business and other financial networks. The host should simply have to disclose their "interest" in an "issue": Such as "Full disclosure, I donated $2400 to the candidate's re-election campaign." Sort of a financially-oriented variation on the standard campaign ad line about how "I'm X and I approved this message." From a purely free-speech POV, this policy at NBC is wrong and, of course, about maintaining secrecy WITHIN the organization, not keeping its viewers fairly informed.
Furthermore, since we know from prior polls of journalists that most all of them vote left, a full disclosure of all their political donations.....but of course, they don't dare.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLet's see, the White House is trying to blame the election debacle on Rahm, now Olby gets suspended. Yup, the lefty circular firing squad has begun blasting away!
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDid we just get our answer as to who Alan Grayson will be replacing?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMSNBC has news shows?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow many millions has Fox donated to Republicans (other than all the free air time- ba-dum-ching!)?
Look, I loathe Olbermann and have no interest in defending that clown, but any Fox viewers should probably shut their mouths on this one...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMaybe MSNBC is tired of terrible ratings and need a way to shoe horn Olbermann out? Just saying the pretense here seems a little stupid. Maybe Fox can offer him a job. Beck and Keith can mud wrestle on Fridays.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSo Olby's the one who makes room for Alan Grayson.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI see several pundits are saying Olbermann didn't do anything wrong. He did make one of the contributions to a candidate the same day the candidate appeared on Olbermann's show. I'll conceded that was probably more a matter of convenience and not one of a quid pro quo. Still, bad timing. Stupid timing.
Nonetheless, I need him at MSNBC. I do enjoy watching Messrs Olbermann and Matthews in small doses just to see what lunacy is going on. I suspect a decent percentage of MSNBC's ratings come from vast ring wing conspirators like me who occasionally tune in to see the train wreck.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTo suspend him is absurd. Nobody thinks he is impartial so why not let him donate wherever he wishes? It is not like he is a journalist, any more than Sean Hannity is .
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThey both reflect set political points of view.
Who does NBC think they are kidding - oh, I forgot. It is themselves.
How can Olby do anything wrong? You have to know the difference between right and wrong to do that.
The guy floats in his own moral plasma. He lives in a virtual reality. They knew it when they hired him.
The people who should be suspended are his pushers at MSLSD, not the kook himself.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMy husband tuned in to MSNBC on Tuesday to watch the circus (against my objections, since I personally think it's not nice to take pleasure in freaks sacrificing their dignity for any reason); however, having seen their election night coverage, I'm convinced of this:
Keith was fired for one reason and one reason only; his behavior in response to Boehner's very real tears was so inhumanely inobjective that even Chris Matthews and Lawrence O'Donnell were offended past the point of tolerance for the cause.
Both their faces revealed their disgust at the spectacle.
And let me also venture my opinion that Maddow is on thin ice too since she was equally as obnoxious.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseEither Keith Olbermann isn't as intelligent as he would like us to believe he is or he thought - wrongly it appears - that the rules don't apply to him.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGood riddance to bad rubbish. Maybe there's a spot for him on "The View" - I'm sure he would fit right in..
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI haven't seen anything so stupid since they jumped on Cokie Roberts for giving a news report in front of a picture of the White House. All MSM news is demonstrably fake, and any pretense otherwise is the epitome of hypocrisy.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI understand the principle behind Jonah's and Bill Kristol's comments. But, SAVE KEITH OLBERMANN? My tongue is going to snap off its roller. Have fun on the unemployment line, Keith.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse-linearheights
News Corp (Fox parent company) made the contributions.
GE (parent of NBC) made contributions to Dems. Wheres the uproar over that. Although it did pay off for them:
External Link
and as far as "free" airtime, if it makes you feel better,
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnderson Cooper has ad time on Fox.