According to the the network's policy unless a special exception is granted by the news division president -- effectively a ban, there are no exceptions. Griffin said today:
"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."
Olbermann acknowledged to his network bosses that he donated $2,400 apiece to the campaigns of Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Reps. Raul Grivalva and Gabrielle Giffords.
NBC policy states:
NBC policy states:
"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. 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."
Keith Olbermann's suspension from MSNBC without pay for making $7200 in political contributions is, I think, clear proof that MSNBC brass is extremely sensitive to claims that the network is evolving into the Fox News of the left.
MSNBC has had a policy in place since at least 2007 that bars "anyone working for NBC News" to make political contributions without prior approval of the network's president.But Olbermann is hardly the first MSNBC personality to make political contributions. As Atrios notes, Pat Buchanan has made over $2000 in political donations. He doesn't have his own show, though, and he's just playing the role of your grumpy conservative uncle. So maybe he doesn't really count, or something.
NBC News correspondent Chris Hayes will fill in for Olbermann on Friday's program, the network said.
Posts
1 comments:
An additional interesting item is the clip I saw where Keith announcing the moratorium on the 'Worst Person in the World' segment on his program.
He made excuses for doing so in that it had gone beyond its usefulness as far as I could tell in this clip where he also talks about MSNBC differences with Fox.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYyTCy0somI&feature=player_embedded#!
Maybe its coincidence but I can't help to wonder if there is more to Keith's problems than the donations.
Keith's defence of MSNBC against Fox seems reasonable to me, but then I'm not Fox or MSNBC,
Post a Comment