Was MSNBC correct to suspend host Keith Olbermann for making
financial contributions to political candidates without
approval?
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION:
“Was MSNBC correct to suspend host Keith Olbermann for making financial contributions to political candidates without approval?” Yes: 8 No: 2
? Dave Appling: “No. This was a major overreaction. I am astonished at MSNBC; surely a liberal network should be a staunch bastion of First Amendment protections. Even in the hierarchical society of the military, soldiers’ political contributions are nobody’s business but their own.”
? Chris Bryant: “Yes, he violated his employment contract and news people should remain impartial and unbiased.” n Bob Chidester: “Absolutely. If he worked for my company, I would suspend him for a lot longer than a week. With the ‘main stream news’ reputation for being impartial and objective already seriously damaged by its obvious over the top favoritism toward the current administration, the last thing they need is a left-wing loony like Olbermann pulling a stunt like this. And they wonder why their ratings continue to go in the tank.”
? David Cohen: “Yes. The network has a policy requiring advance disclosure of contributions which Olbermann did not meet. And to claim lack of knowledge is simply disingenuous. Having spent a great part of my adult life at a television network, company rules and policies on contributions and gifts are widely publicized, often discussed and well known amongst employees. Furthermore, while the Fox News Channel does allow its personalities to make political contributions, that doesn’t make it right. Even at a local level, those of who financially supported or individually endorsed candidates totally and completely abstained from participating in the Morgan Hill Times’ editorial board discussions and endorsements.”
? Dennis Kennedy: “If MSNBC has a firm legal policy which prohibits these contributions, they were correct. On the other hand, everyone should have the legal right to contribute and support the candidates of their choice. Such contributions should be made public and legal.”
? Julian Mancias: “No. I liked him better at ESPN anyway.” n Henry Miller: “MSNBC has its rules. Mr. Olbermann agreed to those rules. There is no question that violation of the rules required disciplinary action. Or, maybe he thinks the rules apply only to others?”
? Jeff Nunes: “Yes. Olbermann blatantly violated an employment policy that he consented to by working at MSNBC. The fact that the purpose of the MSNBC policy, to preserve the impartiality of their journalists, is lost on Olbermann, does not exempt him from the policy.”
? Lisa Pampuch: “Yes, If the rule is enforced consistently and is explained to employees in advance, but that’s in serious doubt. In addition, the incident serves to debunk the popular claim that MSNBC is the liberal equivalent of Fox News; Fox News has no rules about its hosts making political donations.”
? Jeff Smith: “Of course they were. MSNBC had a policy which Olbermann knowingly violated. I don’t see what the controversy it. Other, more respectable stations have different policies, so you can’t compare the two. If MSNBC had any sense they would keep him off the air for good, but I doubt they will do that.”
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