Statement from Phil Griffin, President of MSNBC:
Too bad it wasn't his juvenile antics reporting the outcome of Tuesday's midterms. Or was it? It seems Olby donated to Dems in violation of NBC ethic's rules: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.
So what does this mean? NBC has rules regarding employees donating to political campaigns, discouraging it and impressing that it’s a “a breach of journalistic independence to contribute to the candidates they cover.” Here’s a key part of that policy: “You should report any such potential conflicts in advance to, and obtain prior approval of, the President of NBC News or his designee.”NBC has ethics rules, who knew? This seems like a convenient loophole to sack the overpaid prima donna who embarrasses an embarrassment of a network. Olbermann's violations of journalistic independence would fill volumes. Was his last minute donation to Dems the real reason for his dismissal? I doubt it.
Hillbuzz has an interesting theory on Olby's suspension and it has nothing to do with political donations.
Also blogging:
Chris Wysocki The words "impartial journalist" and "MSNBC" do not belong in the same sentence. In the comments notes at least Olby is *honest* in that he puts his money where his mouth is.
The Other McCain shocked, as am I, MSNBC and NBC had an ethics policy
Nice Deb has a nice twitter round up of reactions and more
Ed Morrissey has the background and delivers the "Captain Louis Renault Award for his shock, shock! at finding that Olbermann may have jeopardized his standing as an impartial journalist."
The Lonely Conservative weighs in as well.
Tweet
To me Olby is now the only *honest* guy at MSNBC. At least he puts his money where his mouth is! Everything NBC does is directed at furthering the Democrat / Obama / Pelosi / Reid agenda, yet they don't have the stones to publicly admit it? The Rachel Madcow Show is an "in kind" contribution to the DNC!
ReplyDeleteYep, I totally agree but I really don't think the donations were the motivation behind this. NBC is deluding themselves if they think that getting rid of Olby is going to make a cable station with the motto "Lean Forward" have any credibility. They are all in the bag and their ratings prove it.
ReplyDeleteAnother problem is really that Olby is just the most overpaid - though they are all overpaid - but Olby is like the star athlete with a huge contract but doesn't deliver.
I sure you want to cue Happy Days are here again as it is identified with Franklin Roosevelt, who I assume you loath as a traitor to his class.
ReplyDeleteThey shouldn't have fired him for this. If this truly is the reason, it is very scary. He is not now nor has ever been a journalist. He was a commentator who is paid for having an opinion.
ReplyDeleteHe should get his job back or be fired for a true cause.