[Baseball analogy]
November 5th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Keith Olbermann Suspended Without Pay
Keith Olbermann has been suspended indefinitely without pay from MSNBC for making donations to three Democrats in violation of NBC’s ethics policy.
….
Olbermann, who does not hide his liberal views, has acknowledged donations of $2,400 each to Kentucky Senate candidate Jack Conway and Arizona Reps. Raul Grijalva and Gabrielle Giffords during this election cycle.
NBC’s ethics policy generally bars political activity, including contributions, without the approval of the president of NBC News, Steve Capus, according to a 2007 story on MSNBC.com.
“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 says. “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.” (CBS news, http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021940-503544.html)
He should’ve followed the proper channels to donate, yes. But that’s not what I take away from this article at all. Here’s what I take away:
1. NBC News, as an organization, has integrity.
I don’t know for certain whether nor not Fox News has these same “channels” and procedures to be followed for donating to candidates. If they do, and the likes of Beck and Hannity follow them…then fine, so be it. However, one has to ask ask themselves if Fox News would care as much as NBC News cares to. MSNBC, which many see (incorrectly) as a Left-wing bastion, still seems to have ethical standards, which is honourable. It begs the question, however: does anyone care about ethics in the media anymore? Did anyone ever?
2. What “liberal media”?
Here’s the Huffington Post article. Right-wing bloggers and pundits love to call HuffPo (and anything not Fox) propaganda for the Left but, after reading that, would you call it an overly defensive and a propagandized account?
3. Will he go back to Sportscenter?
Joke #3. But really, he was pretty good.
All I know is this: Maddow is gonna be interesting tonight.
