Keith Olbermann Suspension Creates MSNBC Policy Debate, Debacle
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For example, critics charge, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough contributed to a political campaign this year also, with no action taken by the network (though in fact, the contribution was approved in advance).
It turns out that political giving is not all that uncommon among cable news personalities, Politico reports, including FOX News' Sean Hannity.
FOX may or may not be the standard-bearer for news ethics, but Olbermann's suspension has opened a can of worms.
In one of several similar recent editorials, former TV news anchor Ed Dague wrote:
"NBC News President Steve Capas ... makes a huge mistake that insults his viewers by imposing the no contributions rule in the first instance. He demonstrates an outdated assumption that viewers are unable to discern fact from opinion once they have any inkling of the reporter’s personal beliefs. It is the same simplistic view that caused NPR to fire Juan Williams for revealing personal views on FOX News broadcasts. So what!"
Media blogger Jeff Jarvis wrote: "[T]he problem with MSNBC's policy that makes contributing to candidates a suspendable offense is that it prevents journalists from acting as citizens of the communities they are to serve."
Jarvis argued that it was Olbermann's hiding of his contributions that really got him into trouble, even though the underlying policy is absurd.
The larger argument, which will continue to go around and around, is about transparency in journalism. Many forward-thinking media types have gotten to this point: "We know that true objectivity doesn't exist and never did, but we can at least strive for transparency. The more transparent we are, the more our audience/community will trust us."
Transparency, and arguably consistency, are fairly foreign concepts to most businesses. So, it's no wonder that NBC stepped into this mess. At this rate, it's just a matter of how long the network will stand behind its flimsy and unpopular policy before reinstating Olbermann.
Comments
The elite millionaire FOX anchors and business tycoons that own the media make up rules as they go in order to justify our private armies and gestapo that we send to invade other countries and democracies. These phoney elitists have bankrupted America with the DERIVATIVE. Then these bankrobbers steal the taxpayers money to bailout the corrupt gangsters that stole the money. Is it time to grab the pitchforks yet? and visit our crooked politicians in Washington DC.
I find it amazing that all of these left-wing morons always find a way to blame or point the finger at Fox News and George Bush. This happens nearly everytime something goes wrong for one of their lame stream media people and puppet politicians. This last election should be a clear sign that your queer (odd) beliefs are not what all Americans want. Start accepting responsibility and maybe you might gain support of main street America......
I find it amazing that goose steppers like you do not have the guts to tell us that you are the fifth column for a new form of a fascist movement in the U.S.A. in which only one policy and point of view is allowed. Tell us up front whether it is the Hitlerian, Mussolini, or other form of fascist you are and which "degenerate art or politics" you would ban or go crawl back under your rock.
I am an experienced human resource consultant with an influential institution in this field. If MSNBC has the policy that their news editorialists can't make private contributions to their favorite candidates, it's a flawed policy and they need to seriously review and revise it. Keith Olberman is a public figure but you can't abridge that he's also a private citizen of the United States with the same constitutional rights as anyone else. He should be able as a private U.S. citizen to make a contribution to a candidate without having to reveal it or ask permission so long as he performs his on air job responsibly. This means not campaigning, favoring or soliciting donations for particular candidates as FOX News does and as far as I know, Olberman has never done so. Requiring any employee to ask permission to reveal or contribute to the candidates of their choice is like coming with them in to the voting booth. The only thing that MSNBC should be concerned about is whether Mr. Olberman performs his job on air appropriately. Keith is an obvious liberal and MSNBC has set a rule by allowing him to perform as such. Other than that, he's a private U.S. citizen with the same rights as anyone else. Get the picture MSNBC News? Your policy should draw the line at soliciting donations on air or revealing political support for a particular candidate as is done on FOX News. Your policy is clearly flawed and you need to think it over and revise it so you do not create embarrassing and conflicting situations for your employees. More importantly, you should have a well thought out policy that provides for journalistic integrity while at the same time safeguards against abridging the individual rights of your employees as private citizens of the United States. Remember the saying that 'every vote counts', well so do the donations of private citizens. You can't punish Olberman too much. Your policy violates the individual rights of your employees who are private citizens of the United States. Olberman's understandable snafu underlines that MSNBC's Human Resources Department along with it's General Counsel need to get to work. Olbermann needs to get back to work as well.
I hated to hear of Mr. Olbermann's suspension, but, in an honest and realistic review of the facts, Mr. Olbermann BROKE THE RULES, and he was well aware of them in advance.
Do you whine when you get a speeding ticket? No matter how safe it was to be going 45mph in the 30mph zone, YOU WERE SPEEDING, and you knew the speed limit when you broke the law. So pay your damn ticket and move on with your life.
Mr. Olbermann should take whatever punishment he is alloted, apologize for not following the rules, then put it behind him and continue bringing us the most accurate, honest, sometimes even unbiased news on cable(except of course for Rachel Maddow who has the finest group of researchers anywhere and is, with exception, the most intelligent person I have EVER seen or heard on cable or broadcast television, or anywhere else for that matter).
If, for some insane reason MSNBC chooses to fire Mr. Olbermann, good for him, I see no problem with him finding employment with any one of dozens of cable and even broadcast stations, probably for more money than he makes now.
Bottom line, when you accept employment with ANY CORPORATION, you agree to abide by their rules, and if you don't like them, then don't take the job, quit, or try to change the rules BEFORE YOU BREAK THEM. No exceptions, no excuses.
It's difficult to appreciate someone of intelligence when you are one of the morons that watches Faux "News", isn't it? If you actually think Keith Olbermann is a news anchor, and not a political commentator, then you are pretty stupid. By giving to several Democratic candidates, Keith merely put his money where his mouth is. I respect him tremendously, and hope he'll be back soon. Shame on NBC News.
I hated to hear of Mr. Olbermann's suspension, but, in an honest and realistic review of the facts, Mr. Olbermann BROKE THE RULES, and he was well aware of them in advance.
Do you whine when you get a speeding ticket? No matter how safe it was to be going 45mph in the 30mph zone, YOU WERE SPEEDING, and you knew the speed limit when you broke the law. So pay your damn ticket and move on with your life.
Mr. Olbermann should take whatever punishment he is alloted, apologize for not following the rules, then put it behind him and continue bringing us the most accurate, honest, sometimes even unbiased news on cable(except of course for Rachel Maddow who has the finest group of researchers anywhere and is, with exception, the most intelligent person I have EVER seen or heard on cable or broadcast television, or anywhere else for that matter).
If, for some insane reason MSNBC chooses to fire Mr. Olbermann, good for him, I see no problem with him finding employment with any one of dozens of cable and even broadcast stations, probably for more money than he makes now.
Bottom line, when you accept employment with ANY CORPORATION, you agree to abide by their rules, and if you don't like them, then don't take the job, quit, or try to change the rules BEFORE YOU BREAK THEM. No exceptions, no excuses.
I'm glad he's gone.
My first reaction is that it is a stupid rule and he should not have been fired. However, if Beck or O'Reilly did the same thing, Countdown would have a field day with it. I love Keith, but you live by the sword...you may just die by the sword.
What a hyprocritical application of a policy never enforced by any other network or political minimalists! K.O. never chilled for any of these people to my knowledge and if he applied helpful support to democracy to combat the Supreme Court Open Door flood of money from corp enterprise, then a paltry contribution to a small political campaign, then this is way, way out of proportion to the advoacy! Let this one go NSMBC or I, with all the friends that I know who watch Keith Olberman, will make a point of boycotting your station. I will have no advoacy for any other station news, as Keith is one of the best commentators, but losing him will result in a loss of advoacy on my part! I have, over the years, turned on 10's to 20 people to the MSNBC news network! I saw Dan Abrahms when he was a 'cub reporter' before his PaPa made hin the GM of the station news group!! Get back your 'balls' Dan or advoacy will wreck your well constructed news orginization and all its investigative kudos! K.O. has led the way for your station and I hope you don't let your 'DAD' forgrt it!!!!!!!